Mind Body Health & Politics: Recent Episodes

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Diana Richardson, who has studied human sexuality, intimacy, and couples’ relationships with sex for fifty years, returns to the program (her first appearance, “The Power of Slow Sex,” aired March 2022). She and Richard trace how sexual mores have shifted over the last century — more premarital sex, then a modern pullback into isolation, pornography, and falling fertility rates — and why Diana thinks the real problem isn’t how much sex people are having but the mechanical, goal-driven way we’ve been taught to have it. They get into the language attached to sex (“achieving” an orgasm, “premature” orgasm) and what it does to performance pressure, especially for men, and Diana answers Richard’s question about pleasure and connection without an erection.

Guest: Diana Richardson — researcher and teacher of conscious sexuality; author of eight books including Tantric Sex for Lovers (the Slow Sex / Tantric Sex for Men / Tantric Orgasm for Women collection, Destiny Books) and The Heart of Tantric Sex (John Hunt Publishing/O Books, 2003). With her partner Michael Richardson, she has run the week-long Making Love Retreat in Europe for over 30 years, with more than 15,000 couples attending. Site and online course: rekindle.love.

Chapters

00:00 — Cold open: sensitivity vs. sensation

00:39 — Welcome to Mind Body Health and Politics

01:30 — Welcome back: Diana Richardson

02:17 — Fifty years of change in the sexual field

06:33 — A hundred years of premarital sex, and the 60s revolution

07:48 — Pizza, porn, and the retreat from dating

08:29 — The epidemic of isolation, alienation, and loneliness

09:42 — It’s not the amount of sex, it’s the how

11:23 — Falling fertility rates

12:55 — Writing The Heart of Tantric Sex

14:06 — What “tantra” actually means

15:03 — Conventional sex vs. tantric sex

19:40 — Words that hurt: “achieving” an orgasm

23:38 — Eight books, and how the Making Love Retreat began

26:11 — Thirty years, fifteen thousand couples

28:06 — Bringing the retreat online

28:44 — Pleasure and connection without an erection

32:34 — What could bring young people back to each other

33:34 — Where to find Diana: rekindle.love

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Joshua White left a decade-long career as a San Francisco city attorney to found Fireside Project, a free, anonymous peer-support line for anyone in a psychedelic crisis or working through one from the past. He and Richard, an advisor to Fireside Project, talk about the four gaps Joshua set out to close in the field, what it takes to be a “loving rock” for a stranger mid-trip, reframing the bad trip as a challenging one, the burnout that nearly broke him, and Lucy, a training simulator built from tens of thousands of anonymized calls now used at Mount Sinai and in a New Mexico psilocybin study.

Guest: Joshua White — founder and executive director of Fireside Project; former Deputy City Attorney, San Francisco City Attorney’s Office. Volunteer alumnus of the Zendo Project and Safe & Sound’s parental stress line before founding Fireside in 2021. Fireside’s free peer-support app is available on iOS and Google Play; the training tool Lucy is at fireside.training; donate at firesideproject.org/donate.

Chapters

00:00 — Cold open: reach out and call somebody

02:25 — Welcome: Joshua White

02:48 — Green smoothies and egg whites

03:41 — From city attorney to psychedelic support

04:42 — Psychedelics, therapy, and the decision to leave the law

07:04 — Testing the waters: the Zendo Project and a parental stress line

08:01 — The four gaps in psychedelic support

10:10 — Fireside Project launches, April 2021

10:22 — Anonymity, legality, and why people call

12:43 — Who answers the phone: the “loving rock” question

17:20 — Reframing the bad trip

18:55 — From bad trip to challenging trip

20:34 — Finding volunteers, finding the public

22:43 — The nonprofit fundraising treadmill

25:34 — Burnout, Ibogaine, and “ten out of ten”

26:37 — Richard’s advisor disclosure: take a vacation

27:28 — The patient who taught Richard about self-care

30:31 — Introducing Lucy and how she trains therapists

35:08 — Forty thousand calls and counting

36:24 — Why there’s no AI avatar yet

37:40 — An ethical data model, by contrast

41:04 — The pitch: why Fireside needs your support

41:35 — How to donate, volunteer, and spread the word

41:55 — Close

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British historian Charlie Harris spent years living with his sources in Mendocino County to write Mendo, the first full history of how a logged-out fishing-and-timber county became the cannabis capital of the Americas. He and Richard — a Mendocino resident since 1975 who watched much of it happen — trace the whole arc: the Back to the Land migration, weed as currency, the homestead wars that united hippies and loggers against the government, Reagan’s helicopter raids and the invention of asset forfeiture, the genetics that made California weed famous, and what legalization actually did to prices, potency, and the people who built the industry.

Guest: Charlie Harris — historian and writer; eight years with Oxford University’s Global History of Capitalism Project; author of Mendo: How an Unlikely Group of Rebels Turned Cannabis into California’s Cash Crop (Counterpoint Press, June 2026). Available from Counterpoint, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local independent bookstore — Charlie asks you to try the indie first.

Chapters

00:00 — Cold open: stories that were never written down

00:31 — Welcome: what happened in Mendocino County

02:24 — Picked up hitchhiking, dropped on a pot farm

06:33 — From trimmer to Oxford historian

08:47 — “Get these stories written down before they disappear”

11:42 — Logging, fishing, and the collapse that emptied the land

14:28 — Back to the Land: the largest urban-to-rural migration in history

17:47 — “We couldn’t grow gasoline”: weed becomes currency

20:21 — The homesteading wars: red tags and a common enemy

22:47 — Hippies, rednecks, and the hipnecks

27:46 — Reagan sends in the helicopters: CAMP, 1983

30:40 — Asset forfeiture is invented in Mendocino County

32:01 — “The campaign to aid marijuana prices”

33:19 — Indica genetics: California weed gets good

35:30 — Traffic reports for police convoys

37:30 — Medical marijuana, 1996: everything changes

40:27 — Overproduction and the price collapse

44:24 — Hedge funds, Flow Kana, and the economics of legalization

48:36 — “Nobody wants stronger weed”: the THC arms race

53:04 — What they smoke in England

56:44 — The book: Mendo

58:07 — “I have a lot of hope for America”: gratitude and close

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Journalist Abbie Rosner spent several years interviewing thirty-six older adults, most in their sixties, seventies, and eighties, about psychedelic experiences they had quietly, outside the clinic. She and Richard talk about elderhood, conscious aging, what changes when these medicines meet a long life rather than a young one, a disagreement over when "elder" begins, and her pilot vision for small, committed cohorts of older adults growing old together on purpose.

Guest: Abbie Rosner, journalist. Author of Psychedelics and the Counterculture of Aging (Park Street Press, 2026, foreword by Dr. Julie Holland). Writes The ELDEREVOLUTION on Substack and a Next Avenue column. abbierosner.com

00:00 The epidemic of isolation

01:45 Conscious aging, what's on Abbie's mind

05:28 What aging actually is, body vs. spirit

10:14 The opportunity of older life, going inward

12:24 The fragility question, screening older adults

15:34 How older adults approach psychedelics today

20:00 Who is drawn to this work, seekers

21:20 Am I an elder at 60, the Julie Holland exchange

27:04 Inside the book, 36 interviews and a book tour

33:11 Elder Vision Circles

38:44 Close

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Dr. Jud Brewer, a Brown University neuroscientist and Yale-trained addiction psychiatrist, joins Richard to lay out a habit-loop model of anxiety. From his own residency panic attacks to the smoking-cessation work that produced five times the standard quit rate, to a randomized trial of his anxiety program, the throughline is one mechanism: pay attention to what a behavior actually does, and the brain stops finding it rewarding. We close on a thirty-second practice for the next time anxiety shows up.

Guest: Dr. Jud Brewer, Director of Research and Innovation at the Brown University Mindfulness Center. Author of The Craving Mind (2017), Unwinding Anxiety (2021, NYT bestseller), and The Hunger Habit (2024). drjud.com

00:00 Opening, the epidemic of anxiety and depression

01:56 Jud's own anxiety story

06:46 Choosing mindfulness as a career in 2006

11:38 Coke Enders and the academic hazing pattern

15:10 Reinforcement learning, pay attention as you smoke

20:28 The anxiety habit loop

23:28 The default mode network and the posterior cingulate cortex

25:49 The mind is a tool, not the boss

29:46 Richard's Vipassana origin with Goldstein and Kornfield

31:07 Conscious breathing and five-finger breathing

32:42 Anxiety travels in clusters

34:40 If these tools work, why are we prescribing

36:42 Could this be taught in high schools

38:19 Going Beyond Anxiety, the AI-paired digital therapeutic

41:52 Mid-episode break

43:32 Curiosity will conquer fear, flip the NO to WHAT

45:27 Feelings are just feelings

47:15 Off-air closing

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In this episode — Carl Honoré, the journalist whose 2004 book In Praise of Slow named the global Slow Movement, returns with the thesis sharpened. He and Richard work through what “slow” actually means, why busyness has become a measurable chemical addiction, the myth of multitasking, loneliness as a mortality risk, the acceleration that precedes burnout, and the four prescriptions any of us can start today.

Guest: Carl Honoré — journalist and author of In Praise of Slow (2004), Under Pressure (2008), The Slow Fix (2013), and Bolder (2018). His TED talk has more than 3 million views. He writes Tempo on Substack. More at carlhonore.com.

Chapters

[00:00] The case for connection

[02:34] What slow is, and what it isn’t

[04:28] The cost of a speed-driven culture

[07:31] Where the drive to speed comes from

[12:29] Busyness as addiction

[15:59] The digital detox

[19:12] What young people are getting right

[27:21] The multitasking myth

[30:09] Loneliness, longevity, and connection

[34:22] Burnout and the last burst of speed

[42:20] Carl’s four prescriptions

[51:58] Two quotes to close

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In this episode—Dr. Ellen Langer, the Harvard psychologist who has studied mindfulness and mind-body unity for nearly fifty years, joins Richard to explain why mindfulness is not meditation, what the counterclockwise study revealed about aging, why the placebo is our strongest medicine, and how a diagnosis can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Richard shares his own recovery from two terminal diagnoses at 82.

Guest: Dr. Ellen Langer—Professor of Psychology at Harvard (the first woman tenured in the department), author of Mindfulness, Counterclockwise, and The Mindful Body. More at ellenlanger.com.

Chapters

[00:00] The mission—connection as antidote to isolation

[02:23] Welcome, Dr. Ellen Langer

[03:03] Mindfulness is not meditation

[04:30] The horse and the hot dog—everything I knew could be wrong

[06:00] How to become mindful: notice three new things

[10:00] Noticing makes others feel cared for—and it’s enlivening

[17:50] Mind-body unity since 1977

[20:15] The counterclockwise study

[30:01] Imagined exercise builds real muscle

[31:21] The borderline effect—69 vs. 70

[35:18] ADHD, labels, and pharmaceutical collusion

[40:05] Placebo, sham surgery, and “you’re making yourself well”

[45:40] Richard’s two terminal diagnoses—and recovery

[52:30] Add life to your years

[55:20] Make the decision right, not the right decision

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Dear Friends,

I want to introduce you to someone I have known for years and admire a great deal. Jamie Joyce came on Mind Body Health & Politics this week. She is running for Congress in California’s 12th district, she founded the Society Library, and she is an artist (I keep one of her pieces that she made with a particle accelerator on my dresser). She is the real deal.

You know how I open this program most weeks: human beings are tribal animals, healthiest when we live in small groups where we know one another by face and by name. The standing threat to that is the small number among us who would rather dominate than collaborate. Jamie has built her whole campaign on exactly that distinction. She is running, she told me, because she is tired of watching power concentrate in a few hands while the rest of us are talked past.

It has already cost her something. Twenty minutes after she announced, the phone calls began — people telling her they would ruin her life if she did not drop out. In a later call, they read back the names of old boyfriends, to let her know they had been digging. A private citizen decides to run for office, and that is the welcome she receives. She did not drop out. When I asked her about it, she said something I have not stopped thinking about:

“There are people who have taken bullets to the head for me to even have the ability and the right to run for Congress. If I’m not willing to risk my reputation to stand up for the rights of others, then I don’t deserve the job.”

I felt protective when she said it, and I told her so on the air.

Here is the part that delighted me. Jamie founded her Society Library after reading, in her early twenties, about a club Benjamin Franklin started — a small group that met to reason together in a spirit of sincere inquiry into truth, with no taste for argument or domination. Franklin called it the Junto. I started a Junto in Fort Bragg twenty years ago, and it still meets every Thursday morning. I invited her to join us. Two people, two centuries apart, reaching for the same simple thing: people thinking together instead of shouting at each other.

We covered a great deal: the bill she wrote, the art she makes with a particle accelerator, the long odds she is running against anyway. I told her on the air what I will tell you now. I wish her all the luck, and all the help and support that the people who know her can muster.

Go to jamiejoyce.com and see for yourself.

Then listen to the whole conversation.

And then, just below, I have a small practice for you this week.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

A note for Californians

This letter reaches you on a Monday. Tuesday, June 2, is the statewide primary.

If you live in California, you almost certainly already have a ballot sitting at home, because the state mails one to every registered voter. There is still time, but not much. Do not put it back in the mail now. Fill it out and drop it in any ballot drop box, or at any polling place, by 8:00 p.m. Tuesday. Or vote in person that day.

I say the same thing at the top of the program most weeks, and I mean it every time: get out and vote, and vote for the people who will actually represent you. And if you happen to live in the 12th district, around Berkeley and Oakland, Jamie Joyce is on your ballot.

Today’s Practice

A simple thing to take with you from this week’s conversation.

Most weeks on this program I tell you to vote, and I mean it. This week I want to hand you something smaller and just as important — and it comes straight out of what Jamie and I were talking about: that we are tribal people, healthiest when we know the people around us by face and by name.

Here is the practice. For the next three months, say hello to the people you would normally pass in silence. Say hello to the checker in the supermarket. Say hello to the clerk in the store, to the plumber behind the counter, to the person sitting inches from you who never gets a word. Introduce yourself. “Hi, my name’s Richard. Glad to meet you.” That is the whole thing.

We live in a country that has been divided on purpose. We can begin to put it back together one hello at a time. Try it for three months and see what happens.

And if you want the civic version Jamie left us with: pick up the phone, take five minutes, and tell your representative the one thing you most want them to do — then ask a friend to do the same.

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Show notes

[00:00] The mission

Richard’s standing frame: human beings are tribal, healthiest in small groups where they know one another by face and name; roughly 95% of us want to collaborate, and a small minority would rather dominate. The civic conclusion he always reaches — get out and vote — sets up the guest.

[02:39] Why she’s running

• Jamie is running in CA-12 because she found her representatives unresponsive — she spent three months in DC last year and couldn’t get her own reps on the phone.

“We need to stop electing politicians and start electing legislators.” — Jamie Joyce

[06:17] “They said they’d ruin my life”

• Within twenty minutes of announcing, she got calls pressuring her to drop out; a later call referenced names from her past.

“There are people who have taken bullets to the head for me to even have the right to run for Congress. If I’m not willing to risk my reputation to stand up for the rights of others, then I don’t deserve the job.” — Jamie Joyce

[10:54] The MAD Act

Jamie’s omnibus bill bundles ten titles she’d otherwise have to pass separately. As she describes them: data-privacy/surveillance limits (requiring brokers to delete holdings), a “Demand a Plan for AI” framework of technical working groups, limits on the Insurrection Act, dark-money disclosure, electoral reform (funding ranked-choice / STAR voting), and mass digitization of government records.

[23:48] The jungle primary

• California’s top-two primary means Jamie and the incumbent — both Democrats — go straight to the general; no Republican is running. She’s a late entrant and out-fundraised, but the only challenger.

[36:05] The Society Library

• In her early twenties, Jamie read Benjamin Franklin’s autobiography and the description of his debating club — a group that reasoned together in “a sincere spirit of inquiry into truth.” She built the Society Library to do that at civilization scale, extracting arguments and evidence from across media into models city councils and universities now use.

“Our reasoning is fractured and broken across the web... We focus on creating models of formal civilization-scale debate.” — Jamie Joyce

[42:30] Her art

• Jamie funded college winning art competitions; a Burning Man honorarium led to her hand-cut wooden “wisdom” books and, later, Lichtenberg figures — three-dimensional lightning shapes made by irradiating acrylic in a particle accelerator.

“The real treasure is the friends you make along the way.” — Jamie Joyce

[48:22] Franklin’s Junto, and Richard’s own

• Franklin’s club was the Leather Apron Club, which became the Junto. Richard started a Junto in Fort Bragg twenty years ago that still meets every Thursday; he invites Jamie to visit.

[50:33] Closing

“Energy and persistence conquer all things.” — Benjamin Franklin, quoted by Jamie Joyce“It matters less whether I win this particular seat... what really matters is that we never, ever give up.” — Jamie Joyce

Resources mentioned

• Jamie Joyce for Congress — jamiejoyce.com

• The Society Library

• Benjamin Franklin’s Junto (the Leather Apron Club)

A note on working together

For those who feel drawn to working together more directly, I offer a limited number of one-on-one sessions.

These are not traditional therapy sessions. They are quiet, practical conversations focused on calming the mind, easing anxiety, and working with simple tools that support steadiness in daily life.

We move at a thoughtful pace. We work with what’s present. We focus on what helps.

My Books

I wrote Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential to contribute to how we, as a community, handle a moment of unprecedented attention and capital.

Will psychedelic medicines be another drug dispensed in 15-minute sessions with psychiatrists, or will they be used properly as facilitators of psychotherapy?

Early feedback:

Dr. Richard Louis Miller is a true elder and wisdom keeper of the psychedelic community, and his credentials come honestly, through hard-won experience. In this book, he continues his role as an educator by sharing his knowledge of both the perils and the promise of psychedelic substances. The reader will find valuable advice on how to avoid pitfalls while realizing the maximum benefits from the thoughtful and safe use of these remarkable medicines.— Dr. Dennis McKenna, ethnopharmacologist and author of The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss

Putting forth the adverse effects of these substances in readable form contributes to their understanding and separates psychedelic scientists from those who would cover over, or even hide, negative effects of pharmaceuticals.

— Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, neuroscientist at the University of California, San Francisco

If any of this speaks to you, you can order the book here.

My Other Books

• Master Your Mind: Practical Tools to Calm Anxiety, Silence Your Inner Critic and Stop Overthinking

• Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

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In this episode — Investigative journalist Robert Whitaker returns for his fourth conversation with Richard. They trace the antidepressant story from the 1980 DSM-III rebrand through the reanalysis of the largest antidepressant trial ever run, the long-term data on children and stimulants, and — at the end — what Whitaker learned from the people who actually recovered.

Guest: Robert Whitaker — investigative journalist, founder of Mad in America, author of Anatomy of an Epidemic (2010), Mad in America (2002), and Psychiatry Under the Influence. His 1998 Boston Globe series was a Pulitzer finalist.

Chapters

• [00:00] The epidemic of isolation

• [02:20] Introducing Robert Whitaker

• [03:30] The 1980 DSM-III pivot

• [05:50] Where the chemical-imbalance idea came from

• [12:40] What the public was told instead

• [18:30] How the drugs change the brain

• [23:10] Patients who’ve been on SSRIs for years

• [27:53] STAR*D: the trial reanalyzed

• [37:01] Why the press stayed quiet

• [39:53] Children on psychiatric drugs

• [42:56] The MTA stimulant study

• [51:00] “A menace to society”

• [55:34] Why informed consent drives him

• [57:32] The connection cure

Introductory notes - the epidemic of isolation [00:00]

The mission of the program: enhancing wellbeing by making connections with the people who live near you, by face and by name. Ninety-five percent of people want to collaborate, not fight. A small group of dominated predators benefits from divisiveness. The current American epidemic is isolation, alienation, and loneliness. The antidote is connection - a theme the conversation returns to in its final movement.

Introducing Robert Whitaker [02:20]

Whitaker is an investigative journalist and the founder of Mad in America. He is the author of Anatomy of an Epidemic (2010), Mad in America (2002), and Psychiatry Under the Influence. His 1998 Boston Globe series on psychiatric research was a Pulitzer finalist. Of all the people I have interviewed in over twenty years, his work has had the greatest impact on my professional life.

The corruption of psychiatry and the DSM-III pivot [03:30]

• The forty-five-year story begins in 1980, when the American Psychiatric Association published DSM-III and adopted a disease model. Schizophrenia, bipolar, anxiety, and a new diagnosis called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were each declared distinct illnesses.

• The profession said it knew the causes. Depression was too little serotonin. Psychosis was too much dopamine. A second generation of drugs would correct those imbalances, “like insulin for diabetes.”

• Prozac arrived in 1988 as a breakthrough that could make you feel “better than well.”

• Before DSM-III, American psychiatry felt its legitimacy as a medical specialty was under attack. DSM-III was a rebrand to position psychiatrists as medical doctors treating medical illnesses.

“It was pitched to us as a story of science, but it wasn’t a science story. It was a marketing story. It was a rebranding story for American psychiatry, which in the 1970s was feeling that its legitimacy as a real medical specialty was under attack.” — Robert Whitaker

What the science actually showed [05:50]

• The chemical-imbalance hypothesis came out of the 1960s, working backwards from drug mechanism, not from measurement of patient biochemistry.

• Tricyclics and MAOIs both upped serotonergic activity. Researchers inferred that depression might be low serotonin. Antipsychotics block dopamine receptors, so they inferred schizophrenia might be high dopamine.

• Direct testing failed. By 1978 researchers weren’t finding it. A 1984 NIMH study concluded that a lesion in the serotonergic system is not a cause of depression.

• In 1998, the APA’s own textbook declared the monoamine theory of depression dead. The profession did not tell the public (Moncrieff et al., 2022, Molecular Psychiatry).

What the public was told instead [12:40]

• Pharmaceutical ads kept selling SSRIs that “fix chemical imbalances.” The APA website told the same story. In 2005 the APA put out a press release calling psychiatrists experts in fixing chemical imbalances in the brain.

• Drug companies funded APA education programs, media training, and “key opinion leaders” at Stanford, Harvard, Johns Hopkins, Penn. Thought leaders were paid hundreds of thousands, sometimes more than a million, over a few years.

• By 1998, when the New England Journal of Medicine wanted a review of antidepressants, it could not find an academic mood-disorders expert who wasn’t already on pharma payroll.

My Other Books:

• Master Your Mind: Practical Tools to Calm Anxiety, Silence Your Inner Critic and Stop Overthinking

• Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life: Dying Without Fear

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

How the drugs actually change the brain [18:30]

• Before treatment, a patient’s serotonergic system is not operating abnormally. The drug ups activity. The brain dials itself down to compensate (Hyman & Nestler, 1996, AJP).

• After long-term treatment, patients do in fact end up with a low-serotonin system, physiologically.

“The drug induces the very change that was hypothesized to cause the problem in the first place.” — Robert Whitaker

• On withdrawal, the dialed-down system can’t snap back. Patients feel terrible and conclude they are still sick.

• A University of Bristol cohort (n=222,121, 10-year follow-up, 2022) found elevated risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality among long-term antidepressant users.

What to tell patients already on SSRIs [23:10]

I described to Whitaker a patient of mine who has been on an SSRI for twenty years and no longer knows what she is without it. His answer:

• Before antidepressants became long-term care, 85% of hospitalized depressed patients recovered within a year.

• As long-term medication became standard, the one-year recovery rate dropped. By 1998, the reported stay-well figure on antidepressants was about 15%.

• A 2025 systematic review found the median antidepressant trial lasts 8 weeks. The median real-world prescription is 5 years. The science backing five-year prescribing was never built.

STAR*D - a $35 million study that became a hoax [27:53]

• STAR*D enrolled 4,041 outpatients, the largest and longest antidepressant trial ever conducted. Four chances to remit across four steps.

• Reported a 70% cumulative remission rate. Medical school curricula, the New Yorker, and the New York Times cited it.

• The protocol specified HAM-D as the outcome scale. The paper used QIDS, which the protocol explicitly said not to use.

• 931 of the 4,041 patients weren’t depressed enough at baseline to be eligible. Some scored in remission at baseline. They were counted as remitters anyway.

• The protocol said dropouts without remission were treatment failures. The researchers imputed dropouts as remitters at the same rate as those who stayed - roughly 600 imagined remissions.

• Psychologist H. Edmund Pigott obtained the protocol via FOIA, then patient-level data under the RIAT Act. Applying the registered protocol, the true cumulative remission rate was 35% (Pigott et al., 2023, BMJ Open).

• Of the original 4,041 patients, 108 were in sustained remission and still in the trial at one year. That is roughly 3%. The figure did not appear in the abstract of the 2006 AJP summary paper.

“The stay-well rate at the end of one year in the largest and longest trial of antidepressants ever conducted was 3%. We were being told of a stay-well rate of being cured of 70%.” — Robert Whitaker

• Two follow-on RIAT reanalyses extended Pigott’s work to the rest of the trial: Step 2 drug-switch arms (medRxiv, Feb 2025) and Step 2/3 augmentation arms (medRxiv, Oct 2025). Both reach the same conclusion: when you score the trial the way the protocol said, the headline numbers collapse.

The press silence on STAR*D [37:01]

• Mad in America ran a retraction campaign. Pigott sent letters to the AJP. The AJP declined.

• The AJP invited a rebuttal. The original authors called Pigott’s work “ad hoc post-analysis.” In fact Pigott had applied the registered protocol.

• In October 2024 Pigott’s team formally called on the AJP to retract five articles tied to the original analyses. None have been retracted.

• The New York Times was still citing the 70% figure in 2023.

“From a newspaper standpoint, this is being handed to them on a plate. They don’t have to dig anything up. They just have to read what the protocol says.” — Robert Whitaker

Children on psychiatric drugs [39:53]

• Before 1980, major mental disorders were understood as disorders of the mature personality. ADHD as a diagnosis was born in 1980.

• 25 to 30% of incoming college freshmen now carry a psychiatric diagnosis and a prescription.

• The Social Security Administration’s 2024 disability report: adult mental-illness disability has more than doubled since Prozac entered the market, and disability among children for mental-illness causes has risen more than thirty-fold.

“We are taking away from our kids their God-given right to try to make something of themselves, to grow up and try to settle with their mind, to come to grips with their minds.” — Robert Whitaker

The MTA stimulant study and informed consent [42:56]

• The MTA (Multimodal Treatment of ADHD) study was designed by NIMH to answer a direct question: do stimulants help kids long term?

• At 14 months, expert-medicated kids did slightly better on reading and ADHD symptoms (MTA Cooperative Group, 1999). The abstract became the story.

• By 3 years, medication status was a marker of deterioration rather than benefit. The abstract said benefits “seemed to disappear.” The data tables said worse.

• By 6 to 8 years, medicated children had greater functional impairments, worse cognitive tests, worse ADHD symptoms, and higher delinquency rates (Molina et al., 2009, JAACAP).

• The NIMH website described the 14-month benefit. It did not describe the three-year, six-year, or eight-year results.

“A menace to society” [51:00]

• Past APA president Jeffrey Lieberman called Whitaker “a menace to society, causing great harm.” Whitaker plans to put it on his gravestone.

• Whitaker’s position: he isn’t doing the research. He reads NIMH’s own work and the data tables past the smoothed abstracts.

“I’m a menace to a profession that has decided not to be an honest narrator of its own science.” — Robert Whitaker

Informed consent is the belief that motivates me [55:34]

• Whitaker’s frame is not anti-medication. It is pro-informed-consent. People have a right to know the risks and benefits, including long-term, and then to decide.

• “Drugs worsen long-term outcomes” is an aggregate claim. Individual patients can still feel better than baseline. The comparison that matters is the natural recovery rate.

The connection cure - nobody said the drug did it [57:32]

“When I spoke to people who were better, who had gotten their lives back, nobody said the drug did it. What everybody said is they made a connection with somebody.” — Robert Whitaker

• After Anatomy of an Epidemic came out, Whitaker began interviewing the people who had recovered from depression, schizophrenia, and other diagnoses once considered chronic.

• Across every interview, the same answer: connection. Somebody believed in them. They developed a relationship. Through that relationship they joined groups, worked, volunteered, brought food to the elderly.

• Julia Hotz’s The Connection Cure (Simon & Schuster, 2024) documents clinicians around the world who prescribe movement, nature, art, service, and belonging instead of, or alongside, a drug.

• What we need, in order: someone to love, someone who loves us, meaning, then exercise, shelter, and food.

Why this conversation, now

This episode follows the release of my new book, The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines (Park Street Press, May 5, 2026). The pattern American psychiatry ran with antidepressants for thirty years - reverse-engineer a theory from a drug, hand it to the public as settled science, lock the story in with guild incentives - is the pattern I do not want repeated with psilocybin, MDMA, or ibogaine. Whitaker is the journalist who taught me what the early signs look like. The book is an attempt to keep us honest about the next round before it ships.

Resources mentioned

• Robert Whitaker, Anatomy of an Epidemic (Crown, 2010) and Mad in America

• Pigott et al., 2023 STARD Step 1 reanalysis, BMJ Open*

• Pigott et al., 2025a STARD Step 2 drug-switch reanalysis, medRxiv*

• Pigott et al., 2025b STARD Step 2/3 augmentation reanalysis, medRxiv*

• October 2024 retraction call covering five AJP articles

• Moncrieff et al., 2022 serotonin theory umbrella review, Molecular Psychiatry

• Bristol primary-care cohort, 2022

• Antidepressant trial duration vs real-world use, 2025, Journal of Affective Disorders

• Hyman & Nestler, 1996, AJP

• MTA Cooperative Group, 1999; Molina et al., 2009, JAACAP

• SSA 2024 Annual Statistical Report

• Julia Hotz, The Connection Cure (Simon & Schuster, 2024)

• Inner Compass Initiative (Laura Delano), rxisk.org (David Healy), International Institute for Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal

• Richard Louis Miller, Master Your Mind and The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines (Park Street Press, May 5, 2026)

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Sam Believ came to Colombia as a Latvian oil-and-gas engineer with a depression he could not name. Today he runs LaWayra, the highest-rated ayahuasca retreat in South America, and has served close to 3,000 people. I asked him the question I have been trying to answer for my forthcoming book: what does the safety data actually look like when you are not a clinical trial, but a jungle with a shaman and thirty-seven staff. His answer is the most honest field account I have heard. My new book, The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines (Park Street Press), publishes May 5, and Sam's work sits inside it.

00:00 Welcome and the Case for Tribal Community

01:40 From Latvia to Colombia, How Sam Got Here

06:02 Running the Retreat, What's on Sam's Mind

10:59 Running Four Businesses in One Jungle

14:08 Frequency and the Indigenous vs Western Debate

21:53 Dosing, Why You Trust the Shaman Not a Scale

24:10 The Bastardization Argument, Tobacco Cacao Coca

26:17 Adverse Effects, What 3,000 Ceremonies Have Shown

30:58 The Facility, 12 Cabins and a Hospital 10 Minutes Away

33:20 Is Colombia Safe, The Narcos Reframe

39:43 From Oil-and-Gas Engineer to Hippie with a Purpose

43:56 Marxism, AI Unemployment, and Finland's Homeless Solution

52:44 Hydration, Closing, and the Invitation

Sam Believ's work:

• LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat — https://ayahuascaincolombia.com

• Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ — https://ayahuascapodcast.com

• Sam's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/sambeliev

• LaWayra Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/lawayra_ayahuasca

Dr. Miller's books:

• The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines (Park Street Press, May 5, 2026) — https://www.amazon.com/Adverse-Therapeutic-Potential-Psychedelic-Medicines-ebook/dp/B0FNDPSMJ1

• Master Your Mind — https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FHWFZ362

Dr. Miller's website: https://drrichardlouismiller.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrichardlouismiller

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In this insightful interview, Dr. Richard Miller discusses the pervasive issues of loneliness, anxiety, and community with Dr. Ellen Vora. They explore practical habits, the role of spirituality, and innovative models like urban communes to foster connection and well-being.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Community in Healing

02:57 Understanding Anxiety: A New Perspective

08:55 Differentiating Anxiety and Panic Attacks

14:24 The Role of Fear in Anxiety

18:28 Exploring Grief and Spirituality

23:47 Daily Habits for Wellbeing

26:17 Building Community Through Collaboration

32:51 The Power of Prayer and Intention

40:12 Understanding Anxiety: True vs. False

42:11 Hope in Mental Health: Beyond Medication

44:02 Psychedelics: Purging vs. Blunting Emotions

resources

The Anatomy of Anxiety by Dr. Ellen Vora - https://www.amazon.com/Anatomy-Anxiety-Understanding-Physical-Emotional/dp/XXXXXX

Season of the Witch by Dr. Ellen Vora - https://www.amazon.com/Season-Witch-Psychiatrists-Guide-Magic/dp/XXXXXX

Mind, Body, Health and Politics Podcast - https://mindbodyhealthpolitics.org

Dr. Ellen Vora's Website - https://ellenvora.com

guest links

Twitter - https://twitter.com/ellenvora

Instagram - https://instagram.com/ellenvora

Website - https://ellenvora.com

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In this conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller and Tania De Jong explore the growing crisis of mental health and the profound role that connection plays in healing. They discuss the rise of psychedelic assisted therapies and why these treatments are offering new possibilities for people who have not found relief through conventional approaches. Tania shares insights from her work in Australia, where these therapies are now being used in clinical settings, and explains why the combination of medicine and integration is essential for lasting change.

The conversation also moves beyond treatment into something deeper. Together, they reflect on the importance of community, the healing power of shared experiences like singing, and the need to reconnect with more tribal ways of living. They examine how modern life has distanced us from one another and how that disconnection contributes to suffering. Throughout the discussion, they return to a central idea: healing is not only about biology, but about restoring connection to ourselves, to others, and to life itself.

Takeaways

Human beings are fundamentally social and require connection to thrive

The current mental health model is not working for many people

Psychedelic assisted therapies are showing significantly higher remission rates in some cases

The combination of medicine and therapy is essential for meaningful healing

Isolation and loneliness are major contributors to psychological suffering

Safe, guided environments are critical when working with altered states of consciousness

Ancient and indigenous practices still hold valuable insights for modern healing

Singing and shared experiences can act as powerful tools for connection and wellbeing

Access and affordability remain key challenges in expanding these therapies

Healing involves reconnecting to self, others, and a sense of meaning

Chapters

00:00 The Crisis of Isolation and Mental Health

03:10 Psychedelic Therapies and New Possibilities

07:45 Medicine and Integration

12:20 Access, Cost, and Ethical Considerations

16:05 The Risks of Underground Treatment

19:40 Indigenous Wisdom and Ancient Practices

23:10 The Healing Power of Singing and Community

26:30 Reconnecting in a Disconnected World

29:15 The Future of Mental Health Treatment

32:40 Restoring Connection as the Path to Healing

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In this solo episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller reflects on the value of life, health, and daily habits that sustain well-being. Drawing on more than fifty years of clinical experience—and his own life at age 87—he shares why exercise, clean living, and human connection remain essential foundations for a meaningful life. Responding to growing pessimism about the future, he offers a simple message: life itself is the gift, and how we care for our bodies and one another can dramatically shape how that gift feels.

Takeaways

Life itself is the gift, regardless of the hand we are dealt.

Daily exercise produces endorphins that naturally improve mood.

Even small amounts of physical activity can have meaningful benefits.

Health habits like clean air, clean water, good sleep, and proper nutrition matter deeply.

Conscious breathing and exercise can help regulate anxiety.

Our genetics influence us, but lifestyle choices can significantly modify outcomes.

Human connection—friends, family, and community—is essential for well-being.

Taking care of the body requires ongoing maintenance.

Perspective matters: even a difficult life can be approached with meaning and purpose.

Kindness toward others matters because everyone is facing their own struggles.

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In this conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller and Light Watkins explore the significance of community and tribal living, especially in challenging times. They delve into the concept of presence, emphasizing its role in personal fulfillment and the importance of inner work. Watkins shares insights on how to cultivate presence through mindfulness and meditation, highlighting the necessity of rest for the nervous system. The discussion also addresses common challenges like overthinking and disrupted sleep, offering practical tools for improvement. Finally, they provide guidance for beginners looking to embark on their inner work journey, advocating for a less is more approach to meditation and self-care practices.

Takeaways

Human beings thrive in community and tribal settings.

Presence is a key factor in personal and professional success.

Meditation is about cultivating presence, not just calmness.

Stress is the main barrier to experiencing presence.

Inner work involves resting the nervous system to promote healing.

Quality of sleep is often compromised by stress and anxiety.

Overthinking can be alleviated through consistent meditation practice.

Starting with small, manageable meditation sessions is effective.

The mind's busyness is often a response to stress, not a failure of will.

Happiness and fulfillment are achievable with the right practices.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Tribal Living

03:15 Understanding Presence

08:45 Cultivating Inner Work and Presence

13:16 The Role of Rest in Inner Work

18:55 Overcoming Overthinking and Stress

24:27 Starting Your Inner Work Journey

26:22 The Skeptic's Journey to Simplicity

27:18 The Anti-Focus Approach to Meditation

29:16 Understanding the Mind's Directionality

30:44 The Mind's Noble Intentions

32:10 The Impact of the Nervous System on Thought

34:01 Creating Inner Calm Amidst Chaos

36:03 Stress vs. Intimacy: The Mind's Dilemma

37:58 Bringing Stress into Intimacy

39:23 Optimizing Inner Work for Consistency

41:03 The Power of Incremental Progress

43:15 Walking: A Simple Path to Wellness

45:26 Best Practices for Inner Work

47:54 Resources for Meditation and Inner Work

48:31 The Possibility of Happiness

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In this conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller and Dr. Daniel Kruger discuss the importance of community living for well-being, the adverse effects associated with psychedelic medicine, and the significance of harm reduction strategies. They explore the nature of psychedelic experiences, the role of guides, and the future of psychedelics in therapy. The conversation emphasizes the need for practical advice for first-time users and the importance of addressing misinformation surrounding psychedelics.

Takeaways

Living tribally enhances physical and emotional well-being.

Over 72% of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, highlighting financial stress.

Many individuals experience adverse effects during psychedelic experiences, but these can vary in intensity.

Harm reduction strategies are essential for those choosing to use psychedelics.

A significant number of people have experimented with psychedelics, with estimates suggesting millions in the U.S.

Best practices for first-time users include mental preparation and creating a safe environment.

Testing substances for safety is crucial to prevent harmful experiences.

The therapeutic component of psychedelics is vital for maximizing benefits.

Misinformation about psychedelics can lead to distrust in legitimate research.

Community-sourced advice can provide trustworthy information for safe psychedelic use.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health and Politics

01:42 The Importance of Community Living

02:00 Adverse Effects of Psychedelic Medicine

04:27 Understanding Adverse Experiences in Psychedelics

09:15 Harm Reduction and Psychedelic Use

12:06 Lifetime Usage of Psychedelics

13:38 Best Practices for First-Time Users

17:17 Accessing Harm Reduction Resources

20:02 The Role of Guides in Psychedelic Experiences

22:22 Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy vs. Self-Experimentation

26:58 The Future of Psychedelics in Therapy

29:46 Survey Insights on Adverse Effects

31:33 Cost-Benefit Analysis of Psychedelic Use

34:58 Misinformation and Trust in Psychedelic Research

38:30 Advice for Safe Psychedelic Use

40:19 Testing for Safety in Psychedelic Substances

41:36 Exploring Psychedelic Retreats

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In this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller reflects on burnout through the lens of more than six decades in the helping professions.

He explores why burnout is not a personal failure, but a predictable outcome of caring without boundaries — and why learning to care for oneself is essential for sustaining care for others.

Drawing from clinical experience and personal stories, Dr. Miller speaks about the paradox of energy, the role of movement and connection in restoring vitality, and the importance of practicing what we teach.

This episode is a reminder that self-care is not indulgent, selfish, or optional — it is a responsibility.

In this episode, Dr. Miller discusses:

Why people in helping roles are especially vulnerable to burnout

How burnout develops when care flows in only one direction

The paradox of energy: when rest helps and when movement restores

Why exercise often increases energy rather than depleting it

How isolation worsens burnout and connection supports recovery

The importance of social support during periods of fatigue or stress

Why boundaries protect long-term generosity and service

How saying no allows us to continue saying yes in meaningful ways

This conversation is especially relevant for caregivers, clinicians, educators, parents, and anyone who gives deeply to others — and wants to remain well enough to continue doing so.

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Why Exercise Changes More Than the BodyA reflection from Dr. Richard Louis Miller

In this solo episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller reflects on the psychological, emotional, and physical impact of exercise — not as a fitness goal, but as a lifelong tool for emotional regulation, resilience, and well-being.

Drawing from personal experience and decades of clinical practice, Richard explains why movement remains one of the most reliable ways to support mental health at any age.

In this episode, Dr. Miller explores:

How aerobic exercise directly improves mood and reduces anxiety

Why even short bouts of movement can produce hours of emotional uplift

The science behind heart rate, adrenaline, and nervous system balance

Why starting small is more effective than waiting for motivation

How consistency matters more than intensity

The role of exercise in treating depression and emotional fatigue

Why movement supports healing during illness and recovery

How exercise builds confidence, agency, and self-trust over time

The importance of setting a regular time for movement

Why five minutes counts — and always has

Key takeaway

Exercise is not about performance or discipline.It is about supporting the nervous system, stabilizing mood, and choosing steady care over perfection.

This episode is an invitation to begin — wherever you are — and to remember that a little, practiced consistently, becomes something powerful.

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller reflects on the importance of human connection, the historical rise of dominators in society, and the interplay between religion and governance. He emphasizes the need for community and collaboration to counteract the divisive forces in the world, expressing hope for humanity's ability to unite and thrive together.

Takeaways

Connection with others is vital for personal well-being.

Human beings are inherently tribal and collaborative.

A small group of dominators has historically controlled resources.

The concept of property emerged from power dynamics.

Religion and governance have a complex and often dangerous relationship.

The separation of church and state is crucial for freedom.

Community and connection can combat isolation and fear.

We must reach out to others to foster relationships.

Hope exists for humanity to rise above divisive forces.

We share this planet and must work together as one people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

02:53 The Importance of Connection

06:12 The Rise of Dominators in Society

09:05 The Historical Context of Power Dynamics

12:00 Religion and Governance: A Dangerous Alliance

15:50 The Call for Community and Connection

20:11 Hope for Humanity's Future

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Summary

In this episode of Mind, Body, Health and Politics, Dr. Richard Louis Miller engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Professor Eric Anderson about the complexities of monogamy and the psychological underpinnings of cheating. They explore the concept of cognitive dissonance, particularly how societal expectations of monogamy clash with biological impulses. Professor Anderson argues that men are evolutionarily wired to seek multiple partners, which creates a conflict when they enter monogamous relationships. This discussion is framed within the context of modern relationships, where emotional and physical fidelity are often viewed through different lenses, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts in expectations.

The conversation delves into the historical context of monogamy, the impact of divorce on children, and the societal pressures that shape our views on relationships. Professor Anderson challenges traditional notions of fidelity, suggesting that emotional connections can be just as significant as physical ones. He emphasizes the need for a broader understanding of what constitutes cheating and how societal norms influence personal relationships. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger, hinting at a deeper exploration of the psychological processes that lead individuals from a commitment to infidelity, setting the stage for a future discussion.

Takeaways

Cognitive dissonance occurs when conflicting ideas exist in our minds.

Men are biologically wired to seek multiple partners, creating tension in monogamous relationships.

Emotional connections can be as significant as physical ones in defining fidelity.

Divorce often has serious ramifications for children, affecting their future well-being.

Titles

The Truth About Monogamy: Cognitive Dissonance and Cheating

Are We Wired for Monogamy? Exploring Human Relationships

Sound bites

"We are the healthiest when we live in small tribes."

"What do you do when two people you love hate each other?"

"We can't outrun our evolutionary desires."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health and Politics

01:03 The Importance of Community and Collaboration

02:27 Understanding Cognitive Dissonance

03:24 Introducing Professor Eric Anderson

04:11 Cognitive Dissonance and Monogamy

06:04 Biological Imperatives and Sexual Desire

10:03 The Impact of Divorce on Children

15:14 Emotional vs. Physical Fidelity

19:56 The Reality of Cheating

24:52 The Psychological Process of Cheating

38:59 The Complexity of Cheating Definitions

51:58 Conclusion and Cliffhanger for Part Two

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In this engaging conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller and Laura Eiman explore the profound impact of community on health and well-being, the journey of overcoming addiction to sugar, and the importance of strength training at any age. Laura shares her inspiring story of transformation, emphasizing the significance of mindset, nutrition, and empowering others, particularly women, to take charge of their health. The discussion highlights practical strategies for maintaining physical and emotional well-being, fostering connections, and embracing the aging process with enthusiasm and purpose.

Takeaways

Community is essential for emotional and physical well-being.

Isolation during the pandemic has increased anxiety and depression.

Laura's journey into health and fitness began in her 40s after overcoming a sugar addiction.

Mindset is crucial for overcoming challenges and achieving goals.

Strength training can be started at any age and has numerous benefits.

Nutrition plays a vital role in overall health and fitness.

Empowering women through coaching can help them overcome personal struggles.

Staying curious and open-minded is key to personal growth.

Learning from the mindset of Navy SEALs and athletes can inspire resilience.

It's never too late to make positive changes in life.

Titles

Transforming Lives Through Community and Fitness

Overcoming Addiction: A Journey to Health

Sound bites

"I want to be like these guys."

"Do hard things every day."

"Get off the white food."

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Community in Health

02:24 Laura's Journey to Health and Fitness

09:02 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose

13:55 Mindset Lessons from Navy SEALs and Athletes

20:00 The Power of Strength Training at Any Age

27:45 Nutrition and Healthy Eating Habits

35:47 Empowering Women Through Coaching

53:12 Connecting and Inspiring Others

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Richard Louis Miller reflects on the importance of human connection, the historical rise of dominators in society, and the interplay between religion and governance. He emphasizes the need for community and collaboration to counteract the divisive forces in the world, expressing hope for humanity's ability to unite and thrive together.

Takeaways

Connection with others is vital for personal well-being.

Human beings are inherently tribal and collaborative.

A small group of dominators has historically controlled resources.

The concept of property emerged from power dynamics.

Religion and governance have a complex and often dangerous relationship.

The separation of church and state is crucial for freedom.

Community and connection can combat isolation and fear.

We must reach out to others to foster relationships.

Hope exists for humanity to rise above divisive forces.

We share this planet and must work together as one people.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Reflections

02:53 The Importance of Connection

06:12 The Rise of Dominators in Society

09:05 The Historical Context of Power Dynamics

12:00 Religion and Governance: A Dangerous Alliance

15:50 The Call for Community and Connection

20:11 Hope for Humanity's Future

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Why Meditation Is About Relationship, Not Escape

Susan Piver on breath, awareness, and strengthening human connection

Episode Summary

In this episode of Mind Body Health & Politics, I speak with Susan Piver, meditation teacher and author of The Wisdom of a Broken Heart, about what meditation truly offers in a distracted, isolated world.

Susan shares how her online meditation community grew organically to tens of thousands of people seeking practice, presence, and connection. Together, we explore meditation not as a tool for self-improvement or avoidance, but as a way of relating differently to the mind, the breath, and one another.

We discuss why the mind is a sense organ rather than the self, how meditation restores agency in an age that constantly pulls at our attention, and why practice does not remove pain—but helps us meet it without aggression or collapse.

One line from Susan stayed with me:

“I cannot defeat my enemies. But I can strengthen my friends.”

In a culture overwhelmed by noise, fear, and division, this conversation is an invitation to clarity, steadiness, and genuine human presence.

Timestamps

00:00 — Why community is essential to mental and emotional health02:15 — Introducing Susan Piver and the Open Heart Project04:45 — How online meditation became a global community06:00 — The unexpected intimacy of practicing together online08:30 — What meditation actually is (and what it is not)12:30 — Why the mind is not the boss16:00 — Attention, breath, and reclaiming agency20:30 — Meditation, grief, and the danger of spiritual bypassing27:00 — Pain, loss, and meeting experience honestly30:45 — Meditation as opening to the world, not withdrawing from it34:00 — “I cannot defeat my enemies, but I can strengthen my friends”36:30 — A guided meditation with Susan Piver42:30 — Silence, presence, and closing reflections

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Three Simple Tools to Calm Anxiety and Quiet the Mind

Episode Summary

In this week’s episode of Mind Body Health & Politics, I speak directly to you about anxiety and intrusive thoughts—two of the most common struggles I’ve encountered in over 65 years of clinical practice.

I share three simple, practical tools that require no special equipment, no long meditation sessions, and no expense. These are techniques you can use almost anywhere, at any moment, to calm your nervous system and regain control of your inner world.

We explore conscious breathing, guided visualization, and a surprisingly powerful method for interrupting intrusive thoughts. These practices helped me save my own life during a severe trauma, and they remain the foundation of how I manage anxiety to this day.

This episode is a reminder that you don’t need to do everything at once. A little something over a long period of time is a lot of something.

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Dr. Susan Campbell on Inconvenient Pain, Triggers & The Pause

Why conflict is normal — and how learning to “pause” can transform your closest relationships.

Psychologist, author, and renowned couples therapist Dr. Susan Campbell returns to Mind Body Health & Politics for a powerful conversation about emotional pain, conflict, and the skills most of us were never taught.

She and Dr. Richard Louis Miller explore why relationships inevitably hurt, why humans instinctively avoid emotional discomfort, and how this avoidance prevents us from growing. Instead of trying to “fix” or escape pain, Susan teaches how to feel it, understand it, and use it as a doorway to deeper connection.

Susan explains why old childhood wounds get triggered in relationships, how the nervous system reacts under stress, and why even minor disagreements can unleash outsized reactions. She and Richard discuss the universal patterns couples fall into — denial, control, withdrawal, blame — and how practicing the pause interrupts these automatic behaviors.

They also explore the deeper psychological landscape: why civilized cultures are addicted to control, how intimacy exposes our vulnerabilities, and why emotional courage is essential for personal and collective evolution.

This conversation is honest, warm, practical, and deeply human. If you've ever wondered why conflict feels overwhelming — or how to navigate it with clarity and compassion — this episode offers tools that can change your relationships from the inside out.

Guest

Dr. Susan Campbell — psychologist, couples therapist, group facilitator, and author of 12+ books including Getting Real, Truth in Dating, The Couples Journey, and From Triggered to Tranquil. She is internationally known for her work on honesty, emotional triggers, and relationship communication.

Key Topics

Why emotional pain is normal — not a sign something is “wrong”

“Inconvenient pain” and why relationships activate our earliest wounds

How childhood patterns influence adult reactions

Triggers: what they are, why they happen, and how to recognize them

The body’s role in emotional reactions: fight, flight, freeze, control, or withdrawal

Why most of us avoid pain — and how this avoidance creates more suffering

The Pause: how to interrupt spirals before real damage occurs

How conscious breathing calms the nervous system after activation

Compassionate self-inquiry: what to do after you pause

How to identify your personal “control patterns”

Saying no with kindness vs. protecting yourself with avoidance

Expansion of emotional capacity as a path to personal evolution

Why our culture trains us to answer quickly — and how slowing down changes everything

How relationships become mirrors that reveal unhealed wounds

Teaching emotional intelligence to children — and why it matters

Why genuine relating is more important than managing outcomes

Timestamps

00:00 — Why humans need community to thrive00:58 — Introducing Dr. Susan Campbell01:20 — Susan’s core message: expanding our capacity for emotional discomfort02:33 — What “inconvenient pain” really means03:45 — Why humans avoid painful truths04:19 — Normal frustrations inside relationships05:18 — Why our culture romanticizes ease — and misleads us06:40 — Pain as an opportunity for emotional growth07:51 — Childhood wounds and how relationships reactivate them09:30 — Real-life example: wanting different things at the same time10:55 — Triggered reactions: control, withdrawal, shutdown11:53 — How to recognize your trigger patterns13:45 — How to sit with discomfort instead of escaping it15:20 — How triggers mix the past with the present17:58 — The value of seeing your old patterns clearly19:51 — Why conflict escalates so fast20:26 — Susan’s signature tool: The Pause22:01 — Why talking while triggered never works23:55 — How to calm your nervous system during a pause25:30 — “You know the pause is working when you’re no longer blaming.”25:46 — Conscious breathing as emotional regulation26:36 — Why discipline leads to long-term harmony28:36 — Emotional skills we should teach children30:01 — Beyond the pause: compassionate self-inquiry31:14 — How self-compassion arises naturally after nervous-system calming33:22 — Why these tools should be taught in schools35:30 — Addiction to control in modern culture37:21 — Saying no with kindness39:14 — Control patterns: how we avoid discomfort41:27 — Why taking time to respond feels threatening in our culture43:28 — What happens when we fear uncomfortable outcomes45:51 — Susan’s final additional insight47:37 — Closing reflections and where to find Susan’s work

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What BDSM Can Teach Us About Happiness & Human Connection

Inside Dr. Alicia Walker’s research on BDSM, stigma, and deep community.

Sociologist Dr. Alicia M. Walker joins Mind Body Health & Politics to discuss one of the most surprising findings in her career: people involved in BDSM report strikingly high levels of emotional well-being, connection, and life satisfaction.

Drawing from the largest BDSM study ever conducted—over 100 in-depth interviews and more than 2,400 survey participants—Dr. Walker discovered that the happiness reported by practitioners has little to do with the sexual practices themselves. Instead, it comes from the psychology around BDSM: communication, consent, identity, clarity, and community.

Richard and Dr. Walker explore why BDSM remains deeply stigmatized; how secrecy shapes family relationships; why communication in BDSM scenes is far more explicit than in most romantic partnerships; and how chosen communities of 30–50 people function as support networks in an age of loneliness.

They discuss creativity, emotional expression, gender expectations, injury and consent, political identity, and the role of freedom from societal judgment. The conversation reveals something far deeper than kink: a blueprint for connection and honesty that many people crave but rarely experience.

This episode is not about the behavior itself—it’s about what it means to be fully seen, accepted, and connected.

Guest

Dr. Alicia M. Walker — Associate Professor of Sociology at Missouri State University; researcher of sexuality, relationships, and gender; co-author with Dr. Arielle Kuperberg; and author of Charmed: The Secret Lives of BDSM Practitioners.

Key Topics

The largest BDSM study ever conducted

Why BDSM practitioners report unusually high levels of happiness

Communication, consent, and clarity as core psychological tools

How secrecy shapes family and social relationships

BDSM communities as powerful antidotes to loneliness

Identity formation through roles, dynamics, and self-understanding

Creativity and emotional expression inside BDSM relationships

The stigma surrounding sexuality in America

Misconceptions created by media portrayals

Political and cultural factors influencing sexual shame

The importance of negotiated boundaries and safe words

Why many participants live “vanilla” lives outside BDSM

How BDSM might inform healthier mainstream relationships

Timestamps

00:00 — Why human beings are tribal animals—and how isolation harms us02:03 — Introducing Dr. Alicia Walker and her path to studying BDSM03:37 — What sparked the study and why interest was so high04:51 — The largest BDSM dataset ever collected06:27 — Why studying sexuality is still stigmatized in academia07:36 — Cultural baggage around BDSM and sexual expression09:42 — How peers and the public react to sexual research11:28 — Censorship and pressure inside academic institutions13:30 — Family reactions to sexual research and BDSM stigma15:08 — Defining BDSM: roles, dynamics, and consent17:13 — Bondage, domination, sadism, masochism — explained19:24 — Safe words, negotiation, and communication22:31 — How the study was conducted: surveys, interviews, recruitment24:33 — 24/7 dynamics vs. private, at-home BDSM26:24 — Play parties, munches, and public vs. private participation29:04 — Why most BDSM practitioners blend into everyday life30:09 — BDSM identities vs. mainstream sexual identities32:35 — The biggest surprise: universal happiness33:47 — Community networks of 30–50 people35:27 — Loneliness, third places, and the power of chosen family37:45 — Aging, community, and Richard’s reflections on longevity40:03 — Mutual support: airport pickups, holidays, emotional care42:12 — How families handle disclosure (or don’t)43:05 — The cost of secrecy and selective honesty46:03 — Why deeper involvement increases happiness48:19 — Identity clarity, self-understanding, and role expression49:43 — Gender expectations and emotional freedom52:26 — Creativity as a major contributor to well-being53:32 — Political leanings inside BDSM communities56:03 — How to safely get involved in BDSM58:23 — The importance of sober, mutual consent01:00:22 — Creativity, identity, and designing your own life01:03:36 — Injury, safety, and shared responsibility01:05:11 — Age, access, and how people find community01:07:08 — Closing reflections and learning from the BDSM community

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Dr. Kristin Neff on the Science of Self-Compassion

How self-kindness rewires your emotions, your health, and your ability to cope.

Dr. Kristin Neff — pioneering researcher, psychologist, and author of Self-Compassion — joins Mind Body Health & Politics for a deep exploration into the one skill most of us were never taught: how to treat ourselves with warmth instead of judgment.

She and Dr. Richard Louis Miller discuss why human beings evolved to be harsh toward themselves, how self-criticism keeps us stuck in a threat state, and why self-compassion isn’t “soft”—it’s a biological accelerator for resilience, calm, and emotional strength.

Kristin explains the three pillars of self-compassion, how physical touch signals safety to the nervous system, and why just 20 seconds a day of self-kindness can measurably change your mental health.She also shares deeply personal stories—from her own divorce to raising her autistic son—and how practicing self-compassion allowed her to stay grounded through fear, shame, and uncertainty.

Richard and Kristin explore mindfulness, cultural conditioning, evolutionary psychology, childhood wounds, the crisis of anxiety in America, and why being on your own side is one of the most powerful health interventions we have.

This conversation is warm, practical, and profoundly human—an invitation to finally stop being your own worst critic.

Guest

Dr. Kristin Neff — Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin; co-founder of the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion; author of Self-Compassion and Fierce Self-Compassion; and the world’s leading researcher on self-compassion.

Key Topics

Why we’re evolutionarily wired to be harsher with ourselves than with others

The three components of self-compassion: mindfulness, common humanity, and kindness

How physical touch activates the care system and quiets the threat system

Why self-criticism creates anxiety but does not create motivation

How self-compassion improves immune function, inflammation, cortisol, and heart-rate variability

The difference between self-compassion, self-esteem, and self-appreciation

How cultural messages (“don’t get a big head”) distort our inner voice

Using self-compassion in parenting—especially with neurodivergent children

Autism, sensitivity, and the story of her son Rowan

How shame dissolves when we remember our shared humanity

Why anxiety levels are rising nationwide—and how self-compassion protects us

Practical tools: touch, gentle self-talk, mindful awareness, and 20-second practices

How to take the Self-Compassion Scale and build a daily practice

Timestamps

00:00 — Why human beings are tribal animals, and how isolation harms us02:27 — Introducing Dr. Kristin Neff & the concept of self-compassion03:16 — What self-compassion is and is not04:07 — Treating yourself as kindly as you treat others05:35 — Why we attack ourselves: evolution, fear, and defense mode07:51 — How compassion calms the nervous system08:32 — Richard’s own journey with cancer and gratitude09:30 — Kristin’s story: divorce, shame, and discovering self-kindness11:16 — How mindfulness allows compassion to arise13:31 — The three elements of self-compassion15:11 — Common humanity vs. self-pity16:31 — How self-talk rewires the brain17:58 — Self-compassion vs. self-esteem19:36 — Self-appreciation and acknowledging what you do well21:20 — Gratitude, wisdom, and interdependence22:57 — Richard’s cancer + heart failure story23:35 — How the immune system responds to compassion26:03 — Why culture discourages self-kindness27:28 — Being harsh to ourselves: a misunderstood attempt at safety28:53 — Childhood conditioning: “don’t get a big head”30:24 — Spare the rod, spoil the child—carried into adulthood31:14 — Is self-compassion a feeling or a motivation?33:14 — The neuroscience of compassion34:55 — Ego, self, and Buddhist misunderstandings35:30 — How to apply self-compassion during suffering36:58 — The power of physical touch37:28 — Touching the body where the emotion lives40:00 — How mammals regulate through contact41:00 — Dr. Neff’s self-compassion test43:22 — Anxiety epidemic in the U.S.44:10 — AI, uncertainty, and emotional overwhelm45:27 — The “inner ally” and asking yourself, “What do I need?”47:00 — Parenting Rowan: sensitivity, autism, and Mongolia50:14 — The Horse Boy story and healing in nature53:13 — Rowan today: independence, strengths, and challenges55:27 — What autistic children teach us about attunement57:21 — One of Rowan’s best lessons: “You’re not a terrible singer—you just sing terribly.”58:06 — Why 20 seconds of self-compassion a day is enough59:04 — Richard’s excitement to share the research60:00 — Where to find Dr. Neff + closing reflections

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In this short episode, Dr. Richard Miller explains why comparison quietly damages your peace—and the simple mental shift he teaches to break the habit before it steals your joy

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How to Create Meaning When Life Stops Making Sense

A conversation on mood, purpose, community, and the pressures of modern life with Eric Maisel.

Psychologist and author Eric Maisel joins Mind Body Health & Politics to explore one of the deepest struggles of modern life: how to create meaning in a world that feels increasingly overwhelming, isolating, and disconnected.

Together, he and Dr. Richard Louis Miller discuss why so many people feel lost, how meaning is made rather than found, and why community—and creative connection—are essential for our emotional well-being.

Eric shares insights from his decades of work with creative and performing artists, describing a new global initiative he’s helping build: the International Association of Creative and Performing Artists, a worldwide community designed to support creatives through loneliness, rivalry, depression, and the unique pressures of artistic life.

Richard and Eric also talk about authoritarian family systems, the decline of the arts, the crisis of loneliness, existential wellness coaching, mood regulation, and why human beings must learn to “matter while we are here.”

This conversation is a rich exploration of purpose, creativity, and the inner life we’ve forgotten to nurture.

Guest

Eric Maisel — Psychologist, creativity coach, and author of more than 60 books including Redesign Your Mind, The Van Gogh Blues, Rethinking Depression, and The Power of Daily Practice.

Key Topics

Why meaning is a feeling—not something you “find”

The modern crisis of loneliness and alienation

Why creative minds face unique psychological challenges

Rivalry, comparison, and depression in the arts

The International Association of Creative and Performing Artists

How community protects mental health

Existential wellness coaching and life purpose

Authoritarianism inside families

The role of moods and how we can influence them

Stoicism, existentialism, and internal agency

How sleep thinking boosts creativity

The pressures on artists in the age of AI

Why “doing the next right thing” anchors purpose

Creating personal meaning through values

Designing the “room of your mind” to change your thoughts

Why many people feel they don’t matter—and how to reclaim inner worth

Timestamps

00:00 — Why human beings are tribal animals and need community01:10 — Introducing Eric Maisel: psychologist, author of 60+ books01:50 — Eric’s radar: a new global community for creative and performing artists03:37 — What the ideal worldwide organization would look like05:45 — Challenges creatives face: loneliness, rivalry, anxiety, depression06:40 — What artists truly need: hope, connection, meaning08:00 — Are the arts under attack?12:22 — Power outage pause — resuming the conversation13:00 — Do artists have unique sensitivities? The creative personality15:40 — Creative identity vs. the “almost-artist” (artist manqué)16:03 — Eric’s next radar theme: multiple life purposes vs. a single purpose17:20 — Meaning as a feeling, not a destination18:24 — Learning from past meaningful experiences20:00 — Creating value-based meaning; the Churchill example22:02 — Do we choose our moods? Richard and Eric debate24:00 — Richard’s story of surviving a life-threatening accident25:54 — The high bar of mood control — but it is possible26:18 — A second real-life example: childbirth without a C-section27:04 — Richard’s current AFib episode — choosing the mood anyway28:27 — Can most people handle modern life? The overwhelm of the mind29:50 — Stoicism and existentialism: ancient tools for modern crises31:27 — Why mainstream psychiatry avoids existential issues31:55 — Label culture and the limits of the DSM33:19 — Coaching creative clients: guilt, pressure, and overwhelm34:30 — Eric’s daily routine: writing at 5:30 a.m.35:14 — The importance of “sleep thinking” for creativity37:28 — Writing in chunks: completing one thousand-word piece38:41 — Afternoons, rest, cooking, and life rhythm39:46 — Richard proposes a new term: “accumulated intelligence”40:30 — Using AI to assist the writing process41:16 — Accumulated intelligence as humanity’s collective memory42:10 — How the new artist organization will include global suffering communities43:21 — Richard’s Ukrainian heritage and the role of war in creativity44:26 — Introducing Timothy Snyder and the book On Tyranny45:59 — Family authoritarianism and childhood wounds47:48 — Why the only solution is often to leave the authoritarian48:25 — Gender dynamics, dominance, and archaic biases49:07 — Leadership, archetypes, and political psychology49:20 — Break: Richard invites listeners to explore MBHP archives51:06 — Returning: Richard promotes Eric’s work51:33 — Redesigning the “room of your mind” — the core of Redesign Your Mind53:59 — Life purpose statements — doing the “next right thing”55:20 — Creating a personal life-purpose icon55:56 — Closing reflections and gratitude

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In this short episode, Dr. Richard Miller explains why comparison quietly damages your peace—and the simple mental shift he teaches to break the habit before it steals your joy

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Psychotherapist Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to discuss a groundbreaking psilocybin-assisted therapy study for young adults with anorexia nervosa at the University of California, San Francisco.

Together, they explore how psychedelics can help restore connection between mind, body, and community—and how true healing extends beyond the individual to include family, culture, and environment.

The study, led by UCSF’s Tripper Lab, is one of the first in the world to focus on the developing brain and the inclusion of families in psychedelic therapy. Gisele explains how this approach moves away from blame and control toward empowerment, self-awareness, and compassionate healing.

She and Richard also discuss the cultural factors that shape body image, the impact of social media, the rising rates of eating disorders since the pandemic, and why anorexia remains one of the deadliest mental health conditions.

“Recovery isn’t just gaining weight. It’s gaining yourself.” — Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold

This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing is not isolation—it’s reconnection.

Guest

Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold — Director of Facilitation for Psychedelic Therapy at the University of California, San Francisco; faculty at the California Institute of Integral Studies; and researcher at the Tripper Lab, UCSF.

Key Topics

The UCSF psilocybin study for young adults (ages 18–25) with anorexia nervosa

Why including family in therapy can support long-term healing

How psilocybin-assisted therapy reduces cognitive rigidity and self-critical thought loops

Understanding anorexia beyond weight—seeing it as a disorder of identity and control

Trauma, intergenerational pain, and the importance of family systems

The role of social media in shaping self-image and body dysmorphia

How the pandemic amplified isolation and eating disorders among adolescents

Shifting from authoritarian treatment models to trauma-informed care

Why “non-directive” therapy helps patients rediscover their own motivation to heal

A new paradigm of recovery centered on autonomy, compassion, and community

Timestamps

00:00 — The importance of community and connection02:00 — Introducing Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold and the UCSF Tripper Lab03:30 — Inside the psilocybin-assisted therapy study for anorexia nervosa06:00 — Understanding anorexia as a life-threatening mental health disorder08:30 — Why the study includes diverse participants and families11:00 — The impact of anorexia on families and caregivers15:00 — Family inclusion as a healing model18:00 — Psilocybin therapy protocol and study design23:00 — The psychology of “parts work” and the path to self-integration29:00 — How psilocybin reduces rigid, self-destructive thought loops32:00 — The influence of culture, media, and pandemic isolation35:00 — Understanding suffering and motivation in eating disorders40:00 — Extending psychedelic research toward obesity and body image45:00 — How to apply for the UCSF clinical trial47:00 — Redefining success: recovery as engagement with life50:00 — Trauma-informed, patient-centered therapy54:00 — Mary Oliver’s “The Summer Day” — a poetic close on life’s preciousness

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Beyond Profit: The Human Cost of Capitalism — with Dr. David McNally

Historian Dr. David McNally joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore the deep relationship between capitalism, slavery, and community — and why the path forward may depend on reclaiming our capacity for cooperation and hope.

Together, they trace how capitalism evolved from feudal systems, how slavery became its brutal engine, and how modern life still reflects those same dynamics of exploitation and insecurity. They discuss the moral cost of wealth built on oppression, the erosion of academic freedom, and the possibilities for new forms of collective ownership and economic justice.

Through it all, McNally reminds us that hope is more powerful than anger and fear, and that history shows our greatest progress comes when people act together in community.

Guest:

Dr. David McNally — Cullen Distinguished Professor of History and Business at the University of Houston, and author of Slavery and Capitalism, Blood and Money, and Monsters of the Market.

Key Topics:

How capitalism emerged from feudalism through the expulsion of peasants from common lands

Why slavery was not a premodern system but central to modern global capitalism

The immense wealth generated by enslaved labor

The psychological and moral consequences of exploitation

Living paycheck to paycheck as a modern form of economic bondage

How fear and insecurity maintain systems of control

The importance of academic freedom and independent thought

Collective action as the most powerful form of resistance

Reviving the commons and exploring alternatives to capitalism

Why hope remains the foundation of social transformation

Timestamps:

00:00 — The Importance of Community and Connection02:22 — Understanding Capitalism and Its Historical Context07:20 — The Shift from Feudalism to Capitalism13:00 — Slavery in the Context of Capitalism20:11 — The Moral Dilemma of Enslavement24:07 — The Wealth Generated by Slavery24:47 — Exploring Alternatives to Capitalism29:00 — The Monopoly Game of Capitalism30:53 — The Power of Collective Action34:56 — Living Paycheck to Paycheck: A Modern Form of Slavery40:45 — The Assault on Academic Freedom50:19 — Freedom Dreams and Cultural Resistance

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The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick Hanson

Psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes to heal both personally and collectively in a divided world.

Guest: Dr. Rick Hanson – Psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, and Buddha’s Brain

Key Topics:

The duality of human nature: love vs. hate

How to “feed the wolf of love” through daily practice

Positive neuroplasticity and the science of emotional rewiring

Building compassion in polarized times

Why community is essential to mental health

How wealth inequality and power distort human connection

The link between poverty and psychological suffering

Simple daily tools for calm, resilience, and empathy

The surprising role of playfulness in healing

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction: Humanity’s tribal nature and the need for connection02:15 — Meet Dr. Rick Hanson03:44 — The parable of the two wolves06:42 — Feeding the wolf of love vs. the wolf of hate08:07 — The power of brain science and compassion10:03 — Physical health as the foundation for mental well-being13:18 — The father-son dynamic and emotional intelligence17:04 — Keeping your “dad hat” on in relationships20:33 — How to stay in touch with the wolf of love under pressure21:33 — The longing for a better world22:05 — Rick’s top psychological tools for well-being24:38 — Getting on your own side25:38 — Taking in the good and letting it land29:18 — Linking positive experiences to old wounds34:35 — Why painful memories persist36:12 — How the media exploits our negativity bias38:33 — Vulnerability to manipulation and fear42:33 — Wealth concentration and its social consequences46:10 — From individual healing to collective action47:58 — Poverty as the biggest factor in mental health50:04 — Lessons from other nations’ social models53:14 — Why one in three adults in America isn’t registered to vote55:08 — The limits of traditional psychotherapy59:36 — What separates high responders from low responders01:02:21 — Repetition, practice, and rewiring behavior01:05:21 — Breathing as the foundation of change01:10:22 — Stop whining, start climbing: love as action

Links & Resources:

🌐 Website — rickhanson.net📘 Books — Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, Buddha’s Brain🎧 Podcast — Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson

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The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick Hanson

Psychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes to heal both personally and collectively in a divided world.

Guest: Dr. Rick Hanson – Psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, and Buddha’s Brain

Key Topics:

The duality of human nature: love vs. hate

How to “feed the wolf of love” through daily practice

Positive neuroplasticity and the science of emotional rewiring

Building compassion in polarized times

Why community is essential to mental health

How wealth inequality and power distort human connection

The link between poverty and psychological suffering

Simple daily tools for calm, resilience, and empathy

The surprising role of playfulness in healing

Timestamps:

00:00 — Introduction: Humanity’s tribal nature and the need for connection02:15 — Meet Dr. Rick Hanson03:44 — The parable of the two wolves06:42 — Feeding the wolf of love vs. the wolf of hate08:07 — The power of brain science and compassion10:03 — Physical health as the foundation for mental well-being13:18 — The father-son dynamic and emotional intelligence17:04 — Keeping your “dad hat” on in relationships20:33 — How to stay in touch with the wolf of love under pressure21:33 — The longing for a better world22:05 — Rick’s top psychological tools for well-being24:38 — Getting on your own side25:38 — Taking in the good and letting it land29:18 — Linking positive experiences to old wounds34:35 — Why painful memories persist36:12 — How the media exploits our negativity bias38:33 — Vulnerability to manipulation and fear42:33 — Wealth concentration and its social consequences46:10 — From individual healing to collective action47:58 — Poverty as the biggest factor in mental health50:04 — Lessons from other nations’ social models53:14 — Why one in three adults in America isn’t registered to vote55:08 — The limits of traditional psychotherapy59:36 — What separates high responders from low responders01:02:21 — Repetition, practice, and rewiring behavior01:05:21 — Breathing as the foundation of change01:10:22 — Stop whining, start climbing: love as action

Links & Resources:

🌐 Website — rickhanson.net📘 Books — Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, Buddha’s Brain🎧 Podcast — Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson

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Building Community with MDMA: Charles Wininger's 20-Year Experiment

Psychotherapist Charles Wininger shares 20 years of experience leading group MDMA sessions in New York, detailed protocols for creating safe communal experiences, and his vision for a nationwide simultaneous experience to rebuild community connections.

Guest: Charles Wininger - Psychotherapist for 35 years, psychonaut for 50 years, author of "Listening to Ecstasy: The Transformative Power of MDMA"

Key Topics:

Why community is literally life or death

Complete protocols for group MDMA experiences

The "serious fun" middle way between therapy and raves

Ground rules: consent, boundaries, and safety

Why mixing substances changes everything

Couples using MDMA 2-3x weekly at micro-doses

Planning a nationwide simultaneous experience

The Fireside Project's 24/7 psychedelic support

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction - Tribal animals need community

01:01 Meet Charles Wininger

01:59 "Community is the medicine"

03:55 MDMA as the "chemical of connection"

06:22 Healing a 7-year rift between friends

10:12 Structuring safe group experiences

12:14 "Serious fun" - the middle way

13:55 Selecting participants carefully

15:02 Ground rules and safety protocols

18:45 Respecting boundaries and consent

20:50 What people fear most: safety

24:04 Creating "chill space" for solitude

25:10 No mixing substances policy

27:16 Saturday sessions with Sunday integration

29:04 Managing the "Tuesday blues"

31:33 Lowering doses with age

33:31 Coming out of the "chemical closet"

38:17 Why not mix ketamine or cannabis

40:29 Psilocybin combinations in therapy

43:03 Community ripple effects

48:09 Couples using MDMA 2-3x weekly

52:21 One day weekly for relationship

57:52 Fireside Project's free support line

01:00:40 Helicopter rides during earthquakes

01:03:38 Connect with Charles

Links:

Website: higherpurpose.community

Book: listeningtoecstasy.com

Contact: charles@higherpurpose.community

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The Poem That Made a Room Full of Men Cry

Dr. Jed Diamond joins Dr. Miller for a conversation about isolation, authoritarianism, and why building community may be our only defense against tyranny. Includes the Father Earth poem by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

Guest: Dr. Jed Diamond - Author of 17 books, men's health advocate, in the same men's group for 46 years

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction - Tribal living and community

01:33 Meet Dr. Jed Diamond

04:10 Same-sex groups and intergenerational wisdom

08:06 Isolation and loneliness since COVID

12:12 Why Jed predicted Trump's presidency in May 2016

17:21 Military on American streets

18:02 The scapegoating pattern

23:27 Father Earth poem introduction

24:22 Father Earth by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (full reading)

31:22 Depression epidemic warning

36:07 The Zen community response to violence

42:06 Jed's daily walking practice for community

44:00 The 10,000 step community walks

47:39 MenAlive.com and Jed's work

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Why Marriage Is Failing America's Poor (And Making Inequality Worse)

Economist Michael Tanner reveals the marriage gap between rich and poor, why rural poverty is worse than urban, and how the collapse of traditional economies is creating a generation of unmarriageable men.

Guest: Michael Tanner - Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, author of research on marriage and poverty

Topics Discussed:

What poverty really means in America

Why Scandinavian equality comes with lower living standards

The two-class marriage system emerging in America

Why women face a "bigger gamble" in marriage than men

Rural poverty worse than urban poverty

The Arkansas Walmart layoffs and opioid crisis

Criminal justice removing 1.5 million Black men from marriage pool

Half of Fort Bragg, CA on food assistance

Timestamps:

00:01 Introduction - 72% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck

01:24 What is poverty in America?

02:36 Two definitions of poverty - subsistence vs self-sufficiency

05:08 Census Bureau's flawed poverty measurements

07:12 Real destitution affects 3-4% of population

08:18 Teachers living in cars in California

11:16 Social Darwinism vs humanistic approaches to poverty

14:54 The myth of lazy poor people

16:26 Bottom 20% have almost no social mobility

18:03 Living in a world of scarcity

19:02 Could billionaires' wealth solve poverty?

21:43 Marriage and poverty - the white paper

23:53 Why marriage helps men more than women

27:30 Marriage gap between rich and poor

31:01 Rise of single, uneducated men

33:38 Political vulnerability of disconnected men

33:54 Arkansas: Middle-class homes turned to garbage

38:37 Robotics and the future of work

43:15 Fort Bragg: 1,200 families at food bank

47:23 COVID's lasting damage to small towns

50:57 "Poverty is natural - prosperity must be created"

Resources:

Research: freopp.org/whitepapers/does-marriage-reduce-poverty/

Twitter: @TannerOnPolicy

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They Feed 30 People for $90 (How Cohousing Actually Works)

Architect Charles Durrett reveals the economics and social dynamics of cohousing communities, plus Iceland's revolutionary approach to neurodiverse living where autism isn't a limitation but simply a different way of being.

Guest: Charles Durrett - Principal architect at The Cohousing Company, coined the term "cohousing" in 1985, designed 55+ communities, author of 16 books on community design

Topics Discussed:

How cohousing communities feed 30 people for $90

Why 34 houses share one lawnmower (and it works)

The first U.S. cohousing community 35 years later

Iceland's Sólheimar: 45 neurodiverse, 45 neurotypical residents

Why people with autism drown at 166x the normal rate

"Smiles per half hour" as a community metric

Breaking bread 4-5 times weekly builds community

From isolation to internationally selling artist

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction - Encouraging community for 20 years

00:59 Meet Charles Durrett - Pioneer of cohousing

01:40 The first U.S. cohousing community in Davis

02:36 What is cohousing? Six defining principles

05:00 No hierarchy, all consensus

07:28 Book came out 1988, coined "cohousing"

08:37 35 years later - how is that first community?

10:47 Copenhagen study: Majority of seniors want cohousing

13:45 Personal meetings and interpersonal sharing

15:28 Common dinners 4-5 times weekly

16:26 Cooking rotation - once a month for 20-30 people

17:10 How they feed 30 for $90

20:12 What is a neuro-inclusive community?

23:13 90 people total at Sólheimar

24:02 Started in 1930, Chuck wrote the book

26:04 "Smiles per half hour" metric

29:02 Artists who knew nothing become internationally known

32:13 Financial model for neurodiverse communities

35:12 Why they bought their own swimming pool

38:07 Final thoughts - self-determination is key

41:12 Learning to interview people with autism

Resources:

Website: cohousingco.com

Book: Neuro-Inclusive Community Design

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The Psychedelic Renaissance: 6 Leaders on Integration, Ethics & Access

An unprecedented panel discussion featuring six pioneers of psychedelic medicine, moderated by Dr. Richard L. Miller. From underground roots to FDA trials, from ketamine clinics to ibogaine centers, these leaders reveal the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of psychedelic therapy.

Panelists: • Matt Xavier - Author of "The Psychedelic DJ," pioneering music curation in psilocybin therapy • Wendy Tucker - Board Chair, Shulgin Foundation, preserving the lab where 200+ psychedelics were created • Sam Mandel - CEO, Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (35,000+ infusions since 2014) • Tom Feegel - CEO, Beond Ibogaine Center, Cancun (11 MDs on staff) • Dori Lewis - Co-founder, Elemental Psychedelics & Colorado's 2nd legal psilocybin center • Joshua White - Founder, Fireside Project (30,000+ psychedelic support calls)

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction - The tribal nature of healing

02:30 The psychedelic renaissance and 50 years of suppressed science

03:30 Matt Xavier - From DJ to psychedelic therapist

09:59 Wendy Tucker - Preserving the Shulgin legacy

15:05 Sam Mandel - Building ketamine infrastructure 20:29 Tom Feegel - Medical ibogaine treatment

27:24 Dori Lewis - Colorado's legal psilocybin program

31:37 Joshua White - Free psychedelic support for all

40:15 Integration: "Polishing the nuggets" from the journey

42:49 Tom's comprehensive integration approach

47:24 Joshua's personal ibogaine integration story

50:19 Sam on insurance-covered integration

57:49 The ethics crisis in psychedelic therapy

01:00:40 Why facilitators must experience their own medicine

01:06:47 "Good people cause harm" - Dori's crucial insight

01:14:45 Access crisis: How to scale beyond the wealthy 01:19:45 Final thoughts and invitations

Key Takeaways: • Psychedelics are tools, not magic bullets - integration is essential • Well-intentioned practitioners can cause harm without proper training • Touch consent and boundaries must be established before sessions • The field needs peer support models to increase access • Community and accountability prevent isolation and abuse

Resources:

Fireside Project Support Line: firesideproject.org

Shulgin Foundation: shulginfoundation.org

Ketamine Clinics LA: ketamineclinics.com

Beond: beond.us

Elemental Psychedelics: elementalpsychedelics.com

Subscribe to Mind Body Health Politics for weekly conversations challenging conventional wisdom about health, consciousness, and human potential. Visit mindbodyhealthpolitics.org for 20+ years of archived episodes.

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At age 9, Michael Ostrolenk looked at his overweight, chain-smoking psychiatrist and asked his mother: "He can't help himself. How's he gonna help me?" Then he walked out and never looked back.

Now 54, Michael completes 50-mile rucks with weighted vests and trains Navy SEALs through SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy. After 43 years in martial arts and decades as a performance coach, he's identified why 72% of Americans are failing at health—and it's not about willpower.

In this conversation, Michael reveals:

Why willpower is a terrible strategy for change

The "via negativa" approach that makes failure impossible

His 4-pillar system (physiological, psychological, social, environmental)

Why he gets blood work every 3-6 months (and what markers matter)

The pull-up bar trick that transformed his client's military fitness test

How removing M&Ms matters more than resisting them

The connection between circadian biology and mental health

Why "normalizing pathological behaviors" is destroying our health

Plus: The surprising parting wisdom from someone who trains special operators—and why kindness might be the most powerful intervention of all.

Guest Bio: Michael Ostrolenk is a licensed therapist and Master Coach in Resilience, Leadership, and Elite Performance, with over three decades of experience guiding high performers, special operators, and visionary leaders. He specializes in integrating psychological, physiological, and relational frameworks to optimize human potential. Co-creator of elite training programs with SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy, and affiliated with Apeiron Zoh precision medical clinic in Austin, Texas.

Connect with Michael: Website: https://www.michaeldostrolenk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenkresiliencemastery/ Instagram: @mostrolenk Podcast: Resilience Reimagined on Spotify

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Dr. Heather Lee: When Traditional Therapy Fails, Sacred Medicine Succeeds

Mind Body Health Politics Episode - Dr. Richard Lewis Miller

Episode Description

A mother lost her 2-year-old to cancer and spent two years bedbound with grief. Traditional therapy, medication, and family support all failed her. Then she discovered Dr. Heather Lee's psilocybin therapy in Colorado—and everything changed. What happened next will challenge everything you think you know about healing trauma and grief.

Dr. Heather Lee is Colorado's 22nd licensed psychedelic facilitator and author of the upcoming book The Psilocybin Sessions: 10 True Tales of Women's Wisdom Awakening. Her legal, clinical work with sacred medicine is producing results that conventional medicine struggles to explain.

Timestamped Chapters

00:00 - The Epidemic of Isolation and Why We Need Community03:00 - Dr. Heather Lee's Revolutionary Approach to Healing05:00 - The Grieving Mother's Two-Year Journey Through Hell08:00 - When Her Deceased Child Appeared During the Session11:00 - The Goosebumps Moment: When Spirit Confirmed the Healing14:00 - Why People Fly from South Africa for This Treatment17:00 - The Art of Psilocybin Dosing: Why 4 Grams Is the Sweet Spot20:00 - How Colorado Became the Gold Standard for Legal Psychedelics23:00 - The Documentary "Last Journey": Cancer Patients Find Peace28:00 - The Forgiveness That Decades of Therapy Couldn't Unlock32:00 - When Clouds Spelled "FORGIVE" in the Sky35:00 - Building the Conscious Conversation Collective40:00 - Working in Service of the Mushrooms

Key Insights

Traditional therapy's blind spot: Some wounds require soul healing, not just cognitive processing

The safety profile: Psilocybin is safer than anything in your medicine cabinet

Colorado's licensing system: Rigorous year-long training with Johns Hopkins and NYU researchers

The demographic shift: Most clients are women 50+ seeking wisdom and healing

Integration is crucial: Follow-up sessions ensure lasting transformation

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The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to Heal

Description: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.

Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."

Key Topics:

Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuse

How shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping it

The difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliation

Breaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in families

Internal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split" personalities

Why our approach to pedophiles may be creating more victims

The hidden prevalence of incest in "normal" families

How to heal families and communities without enabling perpetrators

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Intro: Living in Tribes vs. Isolation [02:00] Polyamory as Community Support System

[05:00] The Real Meaning of "Many Loves"

[06:00] From Sex Work to Trauma Therapy

[08:00] "The Pedophile Who Loved Me" - Why the Title Matters [10:00] The Dangerous Side of Religious Forgiveness

[13:00] "Where Does the Misery Stop?" - Generational Trauma

[16:00] Walking the Line Between Compassion and Accountability

[20:00] How Trauma Creates Split Personalities

25:00] Multiple Personalities vs. Sub-Personalities

[31:00] The Soul-Killing Nature of Child Sexual Abuse

[37:00] Creating Safety for People to Come Out of Denial

[42:00] Why Pedophiles Repeat and What We're Missing

[48:00] Education Level and Sexual Abuse Patterns

[52:00] Sex Work Safety vs. Other Professions

[57:00] Why She Wouldn't Recommend Sex Work Today

[1:05:00] Final Message: Healing Requires Treating Perpetrators as People

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Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk About

Description:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.

Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.

Key Topics:

Why pop culture has become our default sex educator

How algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shame

The myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universal

Media representation of masturbation and female sexuality suppression

Pornography consumption patterns revealing hidden curiosities

The feedback loop between audience clicks and content creation

Violence in entertainment vs. the death of musicals and romance

Sexual assault statistics and what they reveal about society

Capitalism as the root cause of inequality and social problems

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Intro: Why We Live in Isolation Instead of Tribes

[02:25] Does Media Lead Us or Do We Lead Them?

[07:20] The Algorithm Knows What You Click On[11:49] Why Musicals Died and Violence Took Over

[15:10] The Problem with Calling Things "Perversion"

[22:35] Why We're All Perverted (And That's Normal)

[26:21] Masturbation Gets a Bad Rap in Pop Culture

[33:57] The Orgasm Gap Mirrors the Economic Gap

[37:45] Are 43 Men in California Programming America's Sexual Taste?

[44:13] The Novelty Factor in Human Curiosity

[46:30] One in Four Women Will Be Raped: What This Says About Us

[51:30] Why Capitalism Is the Root of Most Problems

[56:52] 20% of Americans Can't Read But They Can Vote [01:02:35] What Lauren Learned Writing "Cheating on the Sisterhood"

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to Heal

Description: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.

Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."

Key Topics:

Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuse

How shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping it

The difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliation

Breaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in families

Internal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split" personalities

Why our approach to pedophiles may be creating more victims

The hidden prevalence of incest in "normal" families

How to heal families and communities without enabling perpetrators

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Intro: Living in Tribes vs. Isolation [02:00] Polyamory as Community Support System

[05:00] The Real Meaning of "Many Loves"

[06:00] From Sex Work to Trauma Therapy

[08:00] "The Pedophile Who Loved Me" - Why the Title Matters [10:00] The Dangerous Side of Religious Forgiveness

[13:00] "Where Does the Misery Stop?" - Generational Trauma

[16:00] Walking the Line Between Compassion and Accountability

[20:00] How Trauma Creates Split Personalities

25:00] Multiple Personalities vs. Sub-Personalities

[31:00] The Soul-Killing Nature of Child Sexual Abuse

[37:00] Creating Safety for People to Come Out of Denial

[42:00] Why Pedophiles Repeat and What We're Missing

[48:00] Education Level and Sexual Abuse Patterns

[52:00] Sex Work Safety vs. Other Professions

[57:00] Why She Wouldn't Recommend Sex Work Today

[1:05:00] Final Message: Healing Requires Treating Perpetrators as People

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:

The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healing

TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approach to underground therapy [12:51] The economics don't add up - $5,000 minimum per session [15:02] Why FDA requires two therapists in the room [21:43] The hidden history of LGBTQ oppression with psychedelics [22:14] "Tim Leary said LSD is a specific cure for homosexuality" [23:44] Teenage conversion therapy - 800μg doses [25:15] "The transcripts are terrifying" [26:07] Living male-female dyad requirements [27:29] "There's a war on trans folks in the United States" [28:59] All LGBTQ research being shut down [31:54] Intersectional violence in NYC [35:50] The masculinity crisis and violence [37:17] Post-traumatic sexual stress disorder theory [41:41] Embrace Pleasure book - reclaiming psychedelic sexuality [43:29] Unwanted complications vs. adverse effects [45:29] Sexual boundary violations in psychedelic therapy [48:15] Why silence enables abuse [50:15] The small percentage of predators [54:43] Empowerment model for participants [57:44] Mandatory disclosure laws proposal [59:59] Who should avoid psychedelics [01:04:59] Should therapists have psychedelic experience? [01:12:13] Final thoughts: "The future is unwritten" Resources:

EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy Queering Psychedelics NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine Dance Safe (harm reduction) The Fireside Project (peer support)

Connect with Dr. Belser: Email: alex.belser@gmail.com Subscribe for weekly interviews: mindbodyhealthpolitics.org

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk About

Description:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.

Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.

Key Topics:

Why pop culture has become our default sex educator

How algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shame

The myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universal

Media representation of masturbation and female sexuality suppression

Pornography consumption patterns revealing hidden curiosities

The feedback loop between audience clicks and content creation

Violence in entertainment vs. the death of musicals and romance

Sexual assault statistics and what they reveal about society

Capitalism as the root cause of inequality and social problems

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00] Intro: Why We Live in Isolation Instead of Tribes

[02:25] Does Media Lead Us or Do We Lead Them?

[07:20] The Algorithm Knows What You Click On[11:49] Why Musicals Died and Violence Took Over

[15:10] The Problem with Calling Things "Perversion"

[22:35] Why We're All Perverted (And That's Normal)

[26:21] Masturbation Gets a Bad Rap in Pop Culture

[33:57] The Orgasm Gap Mirrors the Economic Gap

[37:45] Are 43 Men in California Programming America's Sexual Taste?

[44:13] The Novelty Factor in Human Curiosity

[46:30] One in Four Women Will Be Raped: What This Says About Us

[51:30] Why Capitalism Is the Root of Most Problems

[56:52] 20% of Americans Can't Read But They Can Vote [01:02:35] What Lauren Learned Writing "Cheating on the Sisterhood"

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Dr. Jarrett Rose reveals groundbreaking research from inside a week-long psychedelic retreat in Jamaica where 11 strangers took escalating doses of psilocybin—and discovered something clinical trials are missing entirely.

Guest Bio:Dr. Jarrett Rose is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute studying psychedelic culture and group therapy dynamics. A former high school dropout who was medicated with Ritalin against his will, he earned his PhD from York University in Toronto and now conducts participant-observation research in real-world psychedelic settings. He recently published groundbreaking research on collective effervescence in psychedelic therapy and is collaborating with Dr. Daniel Kruger on psychedelic community studies.

Key Topics:

• Why 99% of psychedelic therapy happens in groups, not clinical trials

• The economics making individual therapy impossible for most people

• How "collective effervescence" amplifies healing outcomes beyond individual sessions

• Escalating doses: 3-5g, then 5-7g, then 7-10g over one week

• Building therapeutic community vs. sterile medical settings

• Social integration as crucial missing piece in clinical research

TIMESTAMPS:[02:48] Dr. Rose introduction - from Utica to Toronto[04:00] Personal balance: golf, surfing, and academic life[07:00] "I failed out of high school" - ADHD and Ritalin[10:47] From dropout to PhD: the inspiration story[11:00] Dr. Miller's Cokenders program - Ritalin to cocaine pipeline[12:00] Marriage across borders: Utica to Toronto love story[15:45] Dr. Miller's wife's cancer journey and dense breast tissue warning[19:00] Radical transparency in personal conversations[20:00] Why individual psychedelic therapy costs are unsustainable[21:00] The 99% reality: underground and group-based therapy[23:00] Myco Meditations Jamaica research methodology[26:00] "From Isolation to Social and Psychedelic Integration" study[28:00] Clinical trials vs. real-world group dynamics[30:00] 11 strangers becoming therapeutic allies[32:00] Opening up about "deepest, darkest fears"[33:00] Collective effervescence in healing communities[34:00] Collaboration with Dr. Daniel Kruger on psychedelic surveys[36:00] The dosing protocol: escalating 3-5g to 7-10g[38:00] Integration circles: 11 participants, 8-9 therapists[40:00] The price reality: $8,000-$10,000+ per retreat[42:00] 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck[44:00] Vision for accessible group therapy clinics[47:00] Howard Becker's social learning theory of drug use[49:00] Brotherhood of Eternal Love and Timothy Leary connection[51:00] Modern surfers and medicalized psychedelic use

Resources:

Journal article: "From Isolation to Social and Psychedelic Integration: A Sociology of Collective Effervescence and Therapeutic Community in Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy" (Sociology of Health and Illness 2025)

Myco Meditations Jamaica retreat program

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Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:

The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healing

TIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approach to underground therapy [12:51] The economics don't add up - $5,000 minimum per session [15:02] Why FDA requires two therapists in the room [21:43] The hidden history of LGBTQ oppression with psychedelics [22:14] "Tim Leary said LSD is a specific cure for homosexuality" [23:44] Teenage conversion therapy - 800μg doses [25:15] "The transcripts are terrifying" [26:07] Living male-female dyad requirements [27:29] "There's a war on trans folks in the United States" [28:59] All LGBTQ research being shut down [31:54] Intersectional violence in NYC [35:50] The masculinity crisis and violence [37:17] Post-traumatic sexual stress disorder theory [41:41] Embrace Pleasure book - reclaiming psychedelic sexuality [43:29] Unwanted complications vs. adverse effects [45:29] Sexual boundary violations in psychedelic therapy [48:15] Why silence enables abuse [50:15] The small percentage of predators [54:43] Empowerment model for participants [57:44] Mandatory disclosure laws proposal [59:59] Who should avoid psychedelics [01:04:59] Should therapists have psychedelic experience? [01:12:13] Final thoughts: "The future is unwritten" Resources:

EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy Queering Psychedelics NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine Dance Safe (harm reduction) The Fireside Project (peer support)

Connect with Dr. Belser: Email: alex.belser@gmail.com Subscribe for weekly interviews: mindbodyhealthpolitics.org

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Discover how scientific self-experimentation went from heroic standard practice to career-ending stigma—and what we lost about consciousness research in the process.

Why 19th-century scientists routinely self-experimented with psychoactive substances

How the 1962 FDA amendments changed scientific culture forever

The underground networks continuing psychedelic research outside institutions

What the MDMA therapy rejection reveals about modern scientific politics

Links & Resources:

"Psychonauts" by Mike Jay

"Free Radicals: How a Group of Romantic Experimenters Gave Birth to Psychedelic Science"

Full interview available on Mind Body Health & Politics podcast

Imperial College London psychedelic research

Native American Church peyote ceremonies

Timestamped Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction: The Scholar's Privilege (02:00) - When Self-Experimentation Was Standard Practice(05:00) - Humphrey Davy and the Birth of Psychedelic Science (11:00) - Freud, Cocaine, and Neurasthenia (15:00) - William James and the Stream of Consciousness (20:00) - Barry Marshall: The Last Nobel Prize Self-Experimenter (25:00) - How the FDA Changed Everything in 1962 (30:00) - UK Government vs. Psychedelic Research (35:00) - MDMA Therapy and Medical Double Standards (40:00) - The Underground Networks Filling the Gap

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In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Richard Miller speaks with Satya, a Portuguese healer and former professional surfer, about the vital importance of self-care for those in helping professions. From the healing power of small communities to the ongoing work of trauma integration, this discussion offers practical wisdom for sustaining oneself while serving others.

About Our Guest

Satya is a 47-year-old healer based in Portugal who transitioned from professional surfing to founding the Awareness Facilitator School, which combines psychotherapy, meditation, quantum physics, ancient philosophies, and bodywork. Her approach emphasizes helping clients "rise in consciousness" rather than treating them as patients.

Key Topics & Timestamps

02:10 - Life in a small Portuguese surfer village and the healing power of community

10:23 - Satya's journey from professional surfer to healer

13:42 - The profound impact of ayahuasca on healing deep trauma

17:33 - Dr. Miller's parallel journey creating Wilbur Hot Springs as a nature sanctuary

22:26 - The importance of self-care for healers and caregivers

26:56 - Practical approaches to maintaining well-being: silence, rest, and food

30:15 - Satya's personal healing journey with childhood sexual abuse

35:12 - Dr. Miller shares his own experience with childhood sexual trauma

39:46 - The Awareness Facilitator School and its approach to healing

43:04 - Nutrition practices for optimal health and healing

48:06 - Important health information about breast cancer detection

51:26 - The importance of strength training as we age

55:41 - Final message: "Don't abandon yourself"

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Renowned psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams reveals how racial trauma affects people of color daily, and offers three practical actions anyone can take to create positive change.

How subtle, everyday racism leads to lasting psychological injury through "microaggressions"

Why many of us are conditioned not to see racism, even when it's happening right in front of us

The shocking study showing it took 80 phone calls for a Black man to find a therapist who would see him

Three practical steps everyone can take to combat racism and promote healing

Links & Resources

Healing the Wounds of Racial Trauma by Dr. Monnica Williams

Mind Body Health Politics Archives - Listen to our full 20-year archive free

The Kenneth Clark Doll Study - The landmark research mentioned in our conversation

American Psychological Association's Apology for Role in Promoting Racism

Timestamped Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Monnica Williams: Social Justice Royalty (01:00) - Growing Up with Civil Rights Activist Parents (03:00) - Understanding Racial Trauma: When Racism Becomes Injury (05:00) - The Shocking Truth About Finding Therapists for People of Color (08:00) - What Is a Microaggression? Small Acts with Major Impact (12:00) - The Academic Battle to Recognize Racial Trauma (15:00) - 2024 Election: Why Some People Vote Against Their Interests (17:00) - Personal Stories: Witnessing Racism Over Six Decades (26:00) - Police Encounters: From Traffic Stops to Trauma (31:00) - Self-Examination: Questions to Uncover Your Own Biases (34:00) - The Shortage of Therapists of Color: A Systemic Problem (39:00) - Study Reveals Most White People Never Stand Up Against Racism (43:00) - Three Things Anyone Can Do to Create Positive Change (47:00) - Closing Thoughts: The Ongoing Work of Building Justice

Suggested YouTube Title Options:

The Hidden Impact of Racial Trauma (And 3 Ways to Make a Difference)

"I Don't Want to See That Look" - How Racism Creates Lasting Trauma

Stop Ignoring These Microaggressions - They're Harming People Every Day

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MDMA-assisted therapy could be key to healing Ukraine's war trauma—and might even help mend our own divided society's psychological wounds.

Key Insights:

MAPS' Phase 3 clinical trials showed 72.6% of severe PTSD patients no longer qualified for diagnosis after MDMA therapy

Group therapy combined with MDMA shows enormous promise for healing communities facing widespread trauma

Epigenetic research suggests processing trauma with psychedelics could prevent passing trauma to future generations

America's social division is creating its own psychological "war zone" that might benefit from psychedelic-assisted healing

Links & Resources:

MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies

Psychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, June 16-20, 2025

Mind Body Health & Politics

Superhumans Center Ukraine

Timestamps:

(00:00:00) - Introduction: Four Decades of Psychedelic Medicine Advocacy

(00:03:00) - The Dark History Behind Drug Prohibition and Criminalization

(00:05:42) - Inside Ukraine: Air Raid Sirens and Everyday Resilience

(00:09:00) - Why MDMA Works: Revolutionary Results from PTSD Clinical Trials

(00:16:00) - "I Don't Think I'll Have to Go to Nepal Now": Patient Transformation Stories

(00:24:00) - From Underground to Mainstream: Political Science of Psychedelic Medicine

(00:32:00) - Visiting the Cemetery of Flags: Confronting Ukraine's Massive Trauma

(00:38:00) - Beyond Individual Therapy: Scaling MDMA Treatment for an Entire Nation

(00:45:00) - Group Therapy's Multiplier Effect: Learning Through Others' Healing

(00:50:00) - Transforming Relationships: MDMA's Potential for Couples and Families

(00:54:00) - America's Own War Zone: How Social Division Creates Collective Trauma

(00:59:00) - From Self-Actualization to Self-Transcendence: Maslow's Psychedelic Evolution

(01:02:00) - The Astronaut Perspective: Seeing One Planet of People, Not Countries

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​Dr. Nicholas Powers reveals how psychedelics could help heal generational trauma in communities of color while reinvigorating social movements at a critical political moment.

In This Episode:

• Why the "Black psychedelic revolution" is currently a celebrity trend but needs to become accessible to working-class communities

• How the constant psychological burden of "the white superego" creates trauma in communities of color

• Why writing is a powerful tool for liberation and reclaiming your mind from today's attention economy

Links & Resources:

• The Black Psychedelic Revolution by Nicholas Powers

• Mind Body Health & Politics Archive

Chapters:

(00:00) - Intro: Understanding the Black Experience in America

(08:00) - The Weight of History: Carrying Ancestral Trauma

(15:00) - The Current State of Psychedelics in Communities of Color

(21:00) - Backlash Politics: Post-Election Mourning and Resistance

(30:00) - Resilience Stories: Finding Strength After Defeat

(38:00) - Addiction, Environment, and the "Rat Park" Experiment

(45:00) - Writing as Liberation: Reclaiming Your Mind from Digital Harvesting

​Mind Body Health & Politics is in its 21st year. All episodes are archived and available at mindbodyhealthpolitics.org. New episodes go live Tuesday Mornings.

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While clinical trials capture headlines, 99.9% of psychedelic experiences happen outside laboratory walls. Dr. Matthew Lowe shares groundbreaking research revealing that self-guided psychedelic use can deliver the same benefits as clinical settings, including reductions in depression and anxiety.

The world's largest naturalistic psilocybin study with 8,000+ participants

How home use of magic mushrooms can match clinical outcomes

Why shame reduction may be a key mechanism in psychedelic healing

Psychedelics' complex history with marginalized communities

Links:

Unlimited Sciences: Research organization studying observational/naturalistic psychedelic use

Psychedelic Info Line: 888-210-3553 (Free consultation service)

Study Reference: "Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and well-being" (Frontiers in Psychiatry) - Open Access Link

(00:00) - Intro: The 99% of Psychedelic Use We Don't Study (01:50) - The World's Largest Naturalistic Psilocybin Study (06:30) - Real-World vs. Clinical Settings: Surprising Findings (10:22) - Adversity in Psychedelic Experiences: What Goes Wrong (14:01) - Dosage Considerations and Setting (18:51) - The Queer Community's Complex History with Psychedelics (26:19) - From Weaponization to Healing: A Research Gap (33:15) - Healing Shame and Self-Acceptance Through Ayahuasca (38:24) - The Case for Inclusive Research and Representation (42:39) - The Value of Naturalistic Research for Harm Reduction (46:00) - Free Psychedelic Education Resources (47:37) - Political Impact on Marginalized Communities

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"Medical error has been declared the third leading cause of death in the literature, and this has been for several decades." - Dr. Julie Siemers

A 45-year nursing veteran reveals shocking statistics about preventable deaths, hospital errors, and patient harm that everyone should know before their next doctor's visit. Dr. Julie Siemers exposes alarming research about surgical mistakes, missed diagnoses, and medication errors, while offering practical strategies to protect yourself and loved ones from becoming victims of a broken healthcare system.

Learn:

• Why 80% of cardiac arrests in hospitals are completely preventable

• The disturbing truth about foreign objects left in surgical patients

• How to effectively question doctors and nurses about treatment plans

• Why bringing an advocate to appointments could save your life

• The critical resource to check your hospital's safety grade before admission

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction and Shocking Statement

(00:42) Welcome to Mind, Body, Health Politics

(01:32) Introducing Julie Seamers and Her Book

(02:46) Julie Seamers' Nursing Journey

(03:57) Medical Errors and Patient Safety

(07:30) The Importance of Patient Advocacy

(11:07) The Role of Family Members as Advocates

(13:41) Hospital Safety Ratings and Questions to Ask

(16:01) Personal Stories and Experiences

(18:30) The Importance of Hand Washing

(33:31) Medication Safety and Communication

(36:21) Final Thoughts and Resources

Resources:

• HospitalSafetyGrade.org - Check your hospital's safety rating

• DrJulieSiemers.com - Blog and additional resources

• "Surviving Your Hospital Stay" by Dr. Julie Siemers - Available on Amazon

• Connect with Dr. Julie: LinkedIn | Instagram

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"You might feel like you're dying... you might think that the state you're in is going to last forever." - Dr. Daniel Kruger

A groundbreaking University of Michigan study of 1,200+ psychedelic users reveals shocking statistics about adverse effects, from sexual misconduct to psychological crises. Dr. Daniel Kruger shares critical findings about what really happens when people use psychedelics outside clinical settings, and why people still take these risks despite the dangers.

Learn:

• Why 74.3% of users experience profound sadness

• The troubling 1-in-20 risk of misconduct with underground guides

• How to prepare for common psychological challenges

• The shift from recreational to therapeutic motivations

• Why legal risks remain significant despite policy changes

Timestamps:

(00:00) - The Alarming Stats No One Talks About

(04:19) - Why People Risk Everything for Psychedelics

(10:15) - The Dark Truth About Underground Guides

(15:36) - Sadness & Fear: Feature or Bug? (The Debate)

(21:01) - Near-Death Experience: Why It's Almost Guaranteed

(28:17) - The Legal Risk (33% Know Someone Arrested)

(32:43) - From Terror to Transformation (Personal Story)

(38:42) - Why Clinical Access Costs "Tens of Thousands"

(46:47) - The Future of Safe Psychedelic Use

(52:53) - Essential Safety Advice for Users

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In this eye-opening conversation with legendary science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, we explore practical paths to meaningful change in an age of crisis. From local climate action groups to worker-owned cooperatives, Robinson reveals how working alternatives to capitalism are hiding in plain sight.

00:00 Capitalism vs. Feudalism: A Comparison

00:41 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health, and Politics

01:35 Kim Stanley Robinson on Climate Change and Local Action

04:29 Capitalism, Climate, and Utopia: Interconnected Themes

11:27 Historical Perspectives: Genghis Khan and Social Systems

14:56 Marxism and Its Challenges

19:18 Examples of Alternative Systems

23:48 The Role of Democracy and Progressive Taxation

28:02 Literacy and Communication in Modern Society

30:19 The Influence of Right-Wing Talk Radio

32:06 The Power of Oral Tradition and Social Media

34:44 The Art of Compression in Communication

36:08 The Value of Long-Form Novels

38:45 Local Government and Community Involvement

40:01 The Village Homes Experiment

47:13 Reflections on the Current Political ClimateLinks & Resources

A Sci-Fi Writer Returns to Earth: ‘The Real Story Is the One Facing Us’ NY Times

Village Homes Cooperative, Davis, CA

Cool Davis Climate Action Group

Mondragon Cooperative Corporation

Kerala's Panchayat System of Local Governance

Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson

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Chemical engineer turned health researcher Ivor Cummins shares shocking discoveries about metabolic health, cholesterol myths, and institutional bias in medicine. With 25+ years of complex problem-solving experience and a Stanford innovation certificate, Cummins brings his analytical expertise to expose gaps in modern medical understanding. Author of "Eat Rich, Live Long" and creator of MetabolicDuo.com, his research has challenged conventional wisdom on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. Learn why this leading voice in metabolic health says everything we've been told about nutrition is wrong.00:00 Debunking Nutrition Myths

00:30 Introducing Ivor Cummins

00:52 The Philosophy of Skepticism

02:21 Ivor's Journey into Health Skepticism

03:01 Challenging Medical Expertise

05:37 Discovering Metabolic Syndrome

08:49 Questioning Government and Institutions

14:26 The Profit Motive in Health and Medicine

15:51 Technocratic Dystopia and Global Agendas

29:25 The Importance of Cash and Self-Sufficiency

31:00 The Five Biggest Lies: Nutrition and Climate

31:18 The Cash Conundrum: CBDC and Financial Control

32:22 Pandemic Industry: Lies and Data

36:38 The Big Lie: Framing Russia and Putin

39:44 Mask Mandates: Science or Social Control?

53:26 The Fight for Cash: Practical Steps

58:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Links & Resources

"Eat Rich, Live Long: Mastering the Low-Carb & Keto Spectrum for Weight Loss and Longevity" by Ivor Cummins and Dr. Jeffry Gerber

MetabolicDuo.com - Latest health and longevity platform

Website: https://thefatemperor.com/

YouTube: The Fat Emperor (250,000+ subscribers)

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FatEmperor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheFatEmperor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivorcummins/

Key Topics for Further Research:

"The Transmission of Epidemic Influenza" by Dr. Hope-Simpson (referenced in interview)

Professor Reaven's work on Syndrome X (Metabolic Syndrome)

Serum ferritin as metabolic syndrome marker

GGT and insulin resistance

Cholesterol science and statins

Swedish mortality data (1918-present)

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Can a simple ultrasound save your life when mammograms miss the mark? Should you get a colonoscopy every year, or is that too extreme? In my latest interview with distinguished hematologist-oncologist Dr. Chadi Nabhan, author of over 300 medical articles and abstracts, we dive deep into the complex world of cancer screening, prevention, and treatment.

"Cancer is not one disease," Dr. Nabhan emphasizes. "Many cancers are curable, while some are not. They're not equal, and we can't treat them all the same way."In this episode Dr. Miller engages with Dr. Chadi Nabhan, a distinguished hematologist and oncologist, discussing the complexities of cancer, the importance of early detection, and the nuances of patient communication. Dr. Nabhan emphasizes that cancer is not a singular disease but a collection of various conditions, each requiring tailored approaches to treatment and screening. The conversation also highlights personal stories related to cancer experiences, advocating for proactive communication between patients and healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive care.

In this conversation, Dr. Chadi Nabhan discusses various aspects of cancer, focusing on prostate cancer, melanoma, and the importance of screening and mental health in cancer treatment. He emphasizes the need for personalized patient care, the complexities of cancer screening, and the emotional journey patients undergo. The discussion also highlights the role of exercise in managing cancer-related fatigue and the importance of regular skin examinations for early detection of skin cancers.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health and Politics

02:19 Understanding Cancer: A Comprehensive Overview

05:09 The Importance of Early Detection and Screening

13:23 Personal Stories: Real-Life Experiences with Cancer

20:51 Navigating Doctor-Patient Communication

27:00 Prostate Health: Understanding Risks and Treatments

36:41 Prostate Cancer Debate: Understanding Gleason 6

39:23 Symptoms and Screening for Prostate Cancer

40:47 The Trade-offs of Prostate Cancer Screening

44:09 Testosterone and Prostate Cancer: A Controversial Discussion

51:50 Melanoma: Personal Stories and Early Detection

54:29 Skin Cancer: Importance of Regular Skin Exams

01:01:41 The Emotional Journey of Cancer Treatment

01:06:16 Exercise as a Remedy for Cancer Fatigue

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When I first connected with Ebru Şinik (@ebrusinik) on Instagram, something special resonated. Here was someone halfway across the world speaking the same language of health, persistence, and joy that I've championed for decades. Through her posts and our growing digital friendship, I witnessed her remarkable ability to beam light and positivity while delivering serious, science-based wellness education to thousands.

Our paths seemed destined to cross.

In our recent conversation I shared with her how my grandmother had lived in Istanbul in 1908, speaking Turkish with such fluency that decades later she could still converse with Turkish visitors.

Now, Ebru is transforming wellness education in her beloved Istanbul through an inspiring blend of modern science and ancient wisdom.

Twenty years ago, Ebru was a successful stock broker battling chronic health issues. Today, she's a leading voice in preventive medicine, training the next generation of wellness practitioners and transforming corporate culture across Turkey. Her journey offers valuable lessons for anyone seeking to improve their health and find their true calling.

Follow Ebru Şinik (@ebrusinik) on Instagram

In our wide-ranging discussion, Ebru shares:

How daily meditation and breathing practices transformed her health when conventional approaches failed

The science-based morning routine that keeps her vibrant at 51

Her work bringing wellness programs to major companies like Microsoft, Apple, and Google

The importance of treating our bodies as our "only asset" in this world

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In this episode, we dive deep into the world of psychedelic science with Dr. David Nichols, one of the foremost experts in the field. Dr. Nichols shares his insights on the current state of LSD research, the challenges faced by researchers, and the potential of psychedelics in treating various mental health conditions. We also discuss the recent FDA decision on MDMA and the future of psychedelic medicine.

Dr. David E. Nichols is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Purdue University and a pioneer in psychedelic research. With over five decades of experience, he offers a unique perspective on the past, present, and future of psychedelic science.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Psychedelic Science 02:03 The Current State of LSD Research 06:12 Challenges in LSD Research 10:13 Comparing LSD and Psilocybin 14:02 Therapeutic Uses of Psychedelics 16:45 Adverse Effects of Psychedelics 20:03 The Role of Set and Setting 25:04 Understanding Paranoia in Psychedelic Experiences 29:59 The Future of Psychedelic Medicine 34:00 FDA Decisions and Political Influences 39:02 The Importance of Therapy in Psychedelic Use 43:04 Closing Thoughts and Optimism for the Future

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In this episode of Mind, Body, Health and Politics, Dr. Richard Miller sits down with Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith to discuss the fascinating concept of "public intimacy." From clergy to sex workers, actors to activists, we explore how different professions navigate the delicate balance between personal authenticity and professional boundaries. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that touches on polyamory, religious ostracism, and the importance of being true to oneself.

Chapters: 0:00 Introduction and Adam's Background 3:42 What is Public Intimacy? 8:15 Boundaries in Different Professions 14:30 Dr. Miller's Anecdotes: Therapy and Hot Springs 21:05 Polyamory and Religious Communities 29:18 The Harm of Ostracism and Hypocrisy 37:50 The Gemstone Metaphor: Facets of Identity 45:23 Advice for Clergy and Public Figures 52:10 Dr. Miller's Social Media Success Story 57:30 Closing Thoughts on Self-Knowledge

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful conversations on Mind, Body, Health and Politics. Visit our website at mindbodyhealthandpolitics.org for free archives and more resources!

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From Shiitake to Psilocybe, Mushrooms are Nature's Healing Powerhouses

I was recently joined by the world-renowned mycologist – my friend – Christopher Hobbs, from his new location in Santa Cruz, California. We discussed the vast potential of mushrooms for healing and wellness.

Dr. Christopher Hobbs is a fourth generation, internationally known herbalist and mycologist, licensed acupuncturist, herbal clinician, research scientist, consultant to the dietary supplement industry, expert witness, botanist, public speaker, and author of over 20 books and numerous articles with over 40 years of experience.

He is the author of the recent book Christopher Hobbs’s Medicinal Mushrooms, the Essential Guide, with German and English editions.

He earned his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley with research and publication in evolutionary biology, biogeography, phylogenetics, the chemistry of plants and fungi, and ethnobotany, and is now faculty at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

www.christopherhobbs.com

https://www.youtube.com/@chrisrhobbs

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health, and Politics 00:40 Meet Christopher Hobbs: Mycologist Extraordinaire 01:31 The Health Benefits of Mushrooms 03:30 How to Incorporate Mushrooms into Your Diet 06:08 Growing Your Own Mushrooms 15:39 Mushrooms and Cancer: A Natural Remedy 22:05 Exploring Psychedelic Mushrooms 32:30 MDMA and Psychedelic Therapy 42:50 Healthy Aging with Mushrooms 48:21 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Dear Friends,

With over six decades of experience as a clinical psychologist, I've seen many trends come and go in mental health treatment. But rarely have I encountered information as potentially game-changing as what I'm sharing with you today.

In 2010, I interviewed journalist Robert Whitaker about his book Anatomy of an Epidemic on my NPR-affiliated radio show. The revelations in that conversation were so profound that I recently invited him back for an update, 14 years later.

This follow-up interview may be the most important broadcast in my 20-year history of hosting this program.

Whitaker's research exposes how the pharmaceutical industry has influenced American psychiatry, leading to the widespread prescription of antidepressants (SSRIs) to tens, if not hundreds of millions of people worldwide. He ushers ample data to show that these medications are not only often ineffective but may be making many patients worse.

Major media outlets are not covering this story. To me this suggests a concerning alliance between Big Pharma, psychiatry, and the press.

I urge you to listen to this interview. After listening, I encourage you to explore Whitaker's website, madinamerica.com, for more in-depth information.

I’m not trying to be sensationalistic. My aim is to empower you with knowledge that the mainstream media isn't providing. I believe you deserve to know the full story about treatments that may profoundly impact your well-being.

Remember, good health is worth fighting for. Sometimes that fight begins with seeking out uncomfortable truths.

Until next time,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

P.S. If you find this information valuable, please share it widely. The more people who understand this issue, the better chance we have of creating positive change in our approach to mental health treatment.

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Links:

• Mad in America (Robert Whitaker's website): Mad in America

• "Anatomy of an Epidemic" by Robert Whitaker: Amazon

• STAR*D Study (mentioned in interview): NIMH STARD Study Overview and PubMed STARD Study Results

• World Health Organization report on mental health treatment: WHO Mental Health Report

• United Nations Special Rapporteur on Health report: UN Special Rapporteur on Health

• British Medical Journal article on STAR*D study reanalysis: BMJ Open STAR*D Reanalysis

• Psychiatric Times article discussing STAR*D reanalysis: Psychiatric Times STAR*D Reanalysis

• NIMH study on natural recovery rates from depression: NIMH Study on Depression Recovery

The Hidden Cost of Normalizing Obesity: A Personal and Professional Perspective

As someone who once weighed 300 pounds, I understand the emotional toll of obesity firsthand. However, we must address a concerning trend: the normalization of being overweight in our society.

With 72% of Americans now overweight or obese, we're seeing this reflected in media and workplaces. But normalizing a health risk is dangerous.

This isn't about shame or blame. It's about recognizing that excess weight compromises our immune system. Every pound of unnecessary fat diverts energy our bodies could use to fight disease and maintain health.

We need to have honest conversations about weight and health, balancing compassion with the urgency of addressing this public health crisis. Our immune systems – and our lives – may depend on it.

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

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Dear Friends,

How can we age gracefully in a world that seems intent on making us feel obsolete? This week, I spoke with Maddy Dychtwald, co-founder of Age Wave and author of Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan, about the multifaceted approach to healthy aging.

Maddy emphasizes that aging is more than just a number:

"There's three different kinds of aging. First there's that chronologic aging... Second is the physiologic or biologic aging. That's how our bodies are aging... But then there's the positive side of aging, which I bet you're experiencing, and that is the psychological or emotional aging."

This holistic view resonated deeply with me. As someone who's been around the block a few times (85 years, to be exact), I've learned that maintaining health is about more than just diet and exercise. It's about cultivating a positive attitude, staying socially connected, and finding purpose in our later years.

One of Maddy's insights that particularly struck me was about the power of our mindset:

"By feeling and thinking and acting more positive about your own aging... it could add up to seven and a half years to your life and... it's not just about lifespan. It's also about healthspan."

Imagine that - seven and a half extra years just from changing our attitude! It's a powerful reminder that our thoughts shape our reality, even when it comes to aging.

But it's not all in our heads. Maddy also shared practical advice on everything from exercise to hormone replacement therapy. For instance, did you know that we start losing muscle mass as early as our late thirties? That's why Maddy suggests:

"Strengthening muscle... getting out those stretch bands, picking up those weights a couple, three, four times a week. It's a really good move."

As someone who lifts weights four times a week and does aerobics six or seven times a week, I couldn't agree more. Remember, friends: it's never too late to start investing in your health.

Maddy also highlighted the importance of social connections:

"Social connections is a viable part of this holistic recipe for ageless aging... the science points directly to the fact that low social interaction is the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes a day."

This aligns with what I've always believed - that we humans are tribal animals, meant to live in communities where we sustain one another.

I encourage you to follow Maddy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for more insights on aging gracefully. Her wisdom is truly ageless.

Remember, good health is worth fighting for, and it's essential for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Links:

• Maddy Dychtwald's Website

• Age Wave Website

• Ageless Aging: A Woman's Guide to Increasing Healthspan, Brainspan, and Lifespan (Amazon link)

The Homeless Dilemma: What Would You Do?

I want to share a personal struggle I face regularly, and I'm curious how you handle it.

When I go to the supermarket and there's a homeless person outside, I very often go into a kind of internal conflict. And the conflict is between two voices in my head:

One voice says, "Go into the store and buy some food and give it to that person."

The other voice says, "Give them the few dollars they're asking for, even though you know there's a good chance that they're going to buy alcohol or drugs with it."

There's a part of me that says, you don't give money to a person who's got trouble with alcohol and drugs because they're going to use it for alcohol and drugs. Give them food.

But then there's another part that says, the person is so down and out, if you give them money for alcohol or food... Why not let them have a drink or a drug? Maybe it'll make them feel better for a few minutes.

This is a tough decision, and I go through it every time. Sometimes I give them a few bucks, and sometimes I go in and buy food.

I don't know how you all handle it. You might let me know, or comment on Instagram.

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

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Dear Friends,

For years, I've observed what I call a "post-traumatic sexual stress disorder" gripping our nation. It's not just about sex – it's about the very fabric of our society. We're a culture living on edge, with 70% of us barely making it paycheck to paycheck. This constant stress, this sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, it's more than economic – it's deeply traumatic, and it seeps into every aspect of our lives, including our sexuality.

Imagine, for a moment, that the very act of making love could heal not just our bodies, but our minds, our spirits, and even our society. It sounds almost too good to be true, doesn't it? And yet, after my recent conversation with Sasha Cobra, I find myself pondering this possibility.

Sasha, a world-renowned teacher and healer featured on Netflix, brings a perspective on sexuality that's at once ancient and revolutionary. As we spoke, I was struck by how her words seemed to peel back layers of cultural conditioning, revealing a truth that's been hiding in plain sight: we are, at our core, sexual beings.

"Everything in existence makes love to create," Sasha told me. It's a simple statement, but one that carries profound implications. If creation itself is an act of love, then aren't we, as creators in our own right, constantly engaged in this cosmic dance of sexuality?

But here's the problem: we've forgotten how to dance.

Sasha's work offers a intriguing antidote to this collective trauma. She speaks of lovemaking not as a mere physical act, but as an energetic exchange capable of clearing "all the trauma, the unprocessed feelings, the negating beliefs, everything that is unlike love in the body."

It's a powerful idea – that by reconnecting with our fundamental nature as sexual, energetic beings, we might heal not just ourselves, but our relationships and our society.

We've become a culture afraid to feel. We run from discomfort, numb ourselves with distractions, and in doing so, cut ourselves off from the very experiences that could heal us. Sasha's work is a call to return to our bodies, to feel deeply, to engage fully with life and with each other.

The idea of being so open and vulnerable can be frightening. But Sasha reminded of why I've dedicated my life to this work. Because beneath the fear, beneath the trauma and the stress, there's a fundamental truth: we are beings capable of profound love, connection, and healing.

For those intrigued by these ideas, Sasha offers an online membership program called Enrg Tune, focused on healing and transformation through energetic practices. It's an opportunity to explore this realm of conscious sexuality in a guided, supportive environment.

As always, I encourage you to approach these concepts with both an open mind and a critical eye. The intersection of sexuality, energy, and healing is complex and deeply personal.

What resonates for one may not for another, and that's perfectly okay.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Watch and comment on the video:

How do you see the role of energy and conscious sexuality in your own life? In our society? Are we ready, do you think, to reclaim this fundamental aspect of our nature?

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Links:

• Enrg Tune - Sasha’s online membership program for healing, growth and transformation.

• Seed of Transformation - 3 day intensive in Tulum, Mexico, exploring the way we relate to ourselves, to others and to sexual energy.

• Getting Intimate - a free video series - 20+ hours of intimate conversations that bring awareness, understanding and compassion to life's struggles and challenges.

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

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Dear Friends,

Each of us has a decision to make: whether we want to put in the time and energy to be healthy, or if we're just going to let the chips fall where they may.

Being healthy is a lifestyle choice.

You might get lucky and stay healthy for years without effort, but most Americans end up with diabetes, heart disease, cancer, or other health issues well before they reach old age.

The choice is yours. If you do choose a healthy lifestyle, I won't sugarcoat it – it's a lot of work. However, today I offer you my personal Immunity Builder Program – a system that has worked for me and can work for you too.

Watch the video or read on for the first steps to building a stronger immune system and living a healthier life:

1. Exercise: Move Your Body, Boost Your Health

Exercise is part of every healthy person's lifestyle. If you're not getting 10,000 steps a day through your work, you need to find a way to incorporate exercise into your routine. Schedule it, do it alone or with friends. Instead of hanging out in bars or restaurants, get together with friends for bike rides, walks, or other active pursuits. Choose friends who are active – if you choose friends who sit around drinking and smoking all day, guess what you'll end up doing?

If you're exercising alone, set a specific time every day. Start with 10 minutes and add two minutes each day. Before you know it, you'll be up to 50 minutes a day. Remember, we're thinking lifestyle here – how can you build this into your daily routine?

1. Nutrition: Fuel Your Body Right

Nutrition is the fuel for your body, and you want the cleanest fuel you can get. Avoid processed foods – if you see a long list of ingredients on a package, put it back on the shelf. Real food doesn't come with a laundry list of additives. Broccoli, kale, peas, beans – they're just themselves.

Use your common sense and read labels. If it has a lot of stuff you can't pronounce, it's probably not supporting your immune system.

Forget soft drinks – they're basically sugared water. Did you know that adding just one soft drink to your daily diet, while keeping everything else the same, can lead to a 45-pound weight gain in three years? Sugar is inflammatory and causes problems in the body. The same goes for most processed carbohydrates. I know, I love bread too – (I could eat a whole loaf in one sitting). But we need to focus on clean, unprocessed foods.

1. Sleep: Create Your Cave

Sleep is crucial for rest and recovery. To get quality sleep, you need to transform your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary. No computers, phones, or TVs in the room. Make it dark, cozy, and cool – like a cave. If street noise is an issue, use earplugs. If you can't make the room completely dark, wear an eye mask.

1. Abdominal Breathing: Your Anti-Anxiety Superpower

When we get anxious, we tense up and our breathing becomes shallow. Abdominal breathing, also called diaphragmatic breathing, loosens everything up. It's faster than a speeding Valium, I promise you!

How to do it? Practice 30 seconds, four or five times a day, every single day. Watch my video to learn how:

Next time anxiety hits, you'll have a powerful tool to handle it.

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

1. Mind Control: Become the Boss of Your Thoughts

Here's a secret: we are the boss of our minds, not the other way around.

The mind is a tool that we get to direct. We tell it what to think, what kind of movies to play. But many of you might be thinking, "That sounds good, but it doesn't work for me. My mind keeps producing ideas and pictures I can't stop."

That just means you haven't developed the skill of mind control yet. Like any skill, it takes practice. Spend a few minutes several times a day telling your mind what to do. Count numbers, make up a story, visualize a color filling your body. It doesn't matter what you tell your mind to do, as long as you're telling it what to do. With practice, you'll become the boss of your thoughts.

1. Purpose: Find Meaning in the Everyday

It's crucial to have a purpose in life, to find something you enjoy doing and find meaningful. And I mean literally anything. Winston Churchill famously built a huge rock wall in his backyard over many years. He also painted. The activity doesn't matter – what matters is that you find it meaningful and enjoyable.

It could be cleaning the house, making your bed, or helping a friend regularly. The key is to decide on your purpose in advance. Wake up knowing what you're going to do that day that gives you a sense of meaning. This positive outlook and sense of purpose contribute significantly to building your immune system.

1. Social Contacts: Nurture Your Tribe

We humans are tribal animals. We love doing things together, whether it's going to ball games, joining sewing circles, or playing sports. But you know what we love most?

Eating together.

Getting together at a table and sharing a meal is deeply satisfying to us as social creatures.

Don't wait for others to reach out – be proactive in maintaining and creating social connections. Go to places where you can meet people. And don't be one of those who say, "They didn't call me, so I'm not going to call them." Reach out.

1. Weight Control: Lighten Your Load

Weight control is essential. Think of it this way:

If you have six businesses and five are making money while one is losing money year after year, where's that loss coming from? It's draining the winners.

That's the same with excess weight.

Your heart and lungs work hard to pump oxygenated blood throughout your body. But excess weight? It's just dead weight, demanding resources without giving anything back. We don't need that extra insulation anymore - we have modern clothing and heated homes.

Losing weight frees up energy for your immune system.

1. Smoking: Just Don't

If you want to be a “lifestyler” and build a powerful immune system, smoking is a non-starter.

Smoking cuts down your lungs' ability to oxygenate your blood.

It's harmful, period.

Whatever kind of smoke you're taking into your lungs, it's damaging your health.

1. Alcohol: Rethink Your Drink

Alcohol is deeply embedded in our culture. Why?

It disinhibits us. It numbs emotional pain. It's an anesthetic.

But here's the truth: Alcohol is toxic to the human system.

We have tons of reputable scientific evidence proving this.

If you really need to change your consciousness, consider safer alternatives. Marijuana, for instance, is a muscle relaxant at its core, while alcohol is an anesthetic and depressant.

Less is better, but none is best.

1. Vacation: The Art of Truly 'Vacating'

What does vacation mean? To vacate. To let everything else go.

It means being in the now, wherever you are.

Whether you're doing a:

• Staycation at home

• Sexcation with your partner

• Hike-cation in nature

• Camp-cation in the wilderness

• Flying vacation to a distant place

The important thing is to take a vacation and leave all the other stuff behind.

I’d like to conclude my Immunity Builder with a story to illustrate:

Two coworkers, Peter and Harry, worked together for 30 years. One day, Peter noticed Harry looked terrible and drove him home.

As they arrived, Harry did something strange - he mimed tying something to a tree outside his house. Inside, Harry was suddenly his happy self again.

The next day, Peter asked about it. Harry explained, "All that stress I was dealing with? I tied it up on the tree. I didn't need to bring it into my home with my family. It was there in the morning, but at least I didn't impose it on my family."

The lesson? You don't need to carry your stress everywhere.

Learn to compartmentalize and enjoy your life. The problems will still be there to deal with later, I assure you.

If you enjoyed this article, please like and subscribe on YouTube - and let me know your strategies for healthy lifestyle in the comments.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dear Friends,

How can we find peace and purpose amid the turmoil and distraction of the modern world? Actor, author, and Zen Buddhist priest Peter Coyote believes the answer lies in the timeless wisdom of Buddhism – translated for our modern lives.

In my latest interview, Peter and I explore:

• The Buddhist concept of "dependent origination" and its relevance to our interconnected world

• How meditation can help us contain and investigate our emotions, leading to more dignified living

• The power of "radical optimism" in the face of life's uncertainties

• Applying Buddhist principles to navigate personal and societal challenges

"Buddha discovered that everything in the world is connected to everything else," Peter told me. "He called it dependent origination. You can understand it immediately when you understand that we've never been separate from oxygen, from sunlight, from water, from microbes in the soil."

This interconnectedness forms the foundation of Buddhist thought and practice. But how does it apply to our daily lives?

Peter's new book, Zen in the Vernacular, strips away the cultural trappings to reveal the core of Buddhist teachings in accessible, everyday language. He shared with me how these ancient principles can serve as a "creative problem-solving mechanism and moral guide" for the stresses of modern life.

One key concept is the practice of meditation, which Peter describes not as an escape, but as a tool for facing our inner world head-on:

"When you meditate, you develop a faith that's based on experience, that you can sit with whatever comes up, investigate it, let it come. You don't have to invite it for tea and let it go. Everything's always changing."

This ability to sit with our thoughts and emotions without being controlled by them can lead to profound changes in how we interact with the world.

Perhaps most inspiring is Peter's concept of "radical optimism" – a philosophy born from Buddhist principles:

"Radical optimism is based on one incontrovertible fact: we never know how things are going to turn out... Keeping my spirits up and my energy up and my shoulder to the wheel keeps me in play."

While cynicism prevails in much of the media and cultural landsacape, this reminder of the power of hope and action is truly refreshing.

This week, I invite you to reflect on how Buddhist principles might apply to your own life. How might the concept of interconnectedness change your perspective on a current challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments on YouTube.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Links:

• Zen in the Vernacular- Peter’s Book

How to Stop Torturing Yourself with Thoughts of the Past and Future

The most common way my patients make themselves unhappy is by dwelling on the past and worrying about the future. While it's possible to think about the past and future without causing emotional pain, many people fall into the trap of self-torture.

They dwell on painful memories, things they wish they had done differently, and moments they criticize themselves for or feel ashamed about. The past is gone, and nothing can be done to change it. Yet, they continue to think about it, causing themselves emotional discomfort.

Others play the "what if" game with the future:

• What if the market crashes?

• What if I get fired?

• What if my partner leaves me?

These hypothetical scenarios bring people down and make them feel terrible.

The best thing to do is practice being in the present moment.

How do you do it? Practice.

By staying present and avoiding dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, you can reduce emotional pain and lead a happier life.

Watch on comment on Instagram:

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dear Friends,

In a world rife with division, how can we turn conflict into collaboration?

Lawyer-turned-“resolutionary” Stewart Levine has spent over 35 years mastering the art of transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs. From feuding business partners to disgruntled employees to divorcing couples, he's been in the trenches of impossible situations - and emerged with relationships intact and millions of dollars saved.

Now, he's distilled his hard-won wisdom into practical tools anyone can use to resolve and prevent conflict. As the author of the international bestseller Getting to Resolution: Turning Conflict Into Collaborationand the founder of Resolution Works, Stewart is on a mission to make the world a more collaborative place.

In my latest interview, Stewart and I explore:

• The hidden costs of unresolved conflict and the power of "resolutionary thinking"

• Why the legal system often impedes real communication and problem-solving

• The key principles and skills for authentic, empathetic dialogue

• How to craft agreements that foster alignment, trust and shared vision

• Improving your most important personal and professional relationships

"Conflict lives inside of us as an emotional presence," Stewart told me. "You can't give that to somebody else to resolve. It's something you need to dig into to purge yourself of."

In a polarized age, Stewart's message couldn't be more timely.

"We as human beings are seeking connection," he said. "We want connection. We don't quite know how to do it. But in many ways, it's built into our biology."

The problem, he believes, is our adversarial "win-lose" paradigm. "If you get yours, then I'm not going to get mine. And I think that's a great fallacy." Instead, he advocates for an abundance mindset focused on giving people what they need.

So how do we get to that magical place called win-win? It starts with resolutionary thinking:

"Honoring feelings when we're in a disagreement with other people. Giving people the opportunity to tell their story from beginning to end... Recognizing that the other person was probably trying to do the best they possibly could, just like we were. So giving the opportunity for our compassion, empathy to arise."

While the tools are simple, the impact can be profound. "I like to look around and see that I don't have any ongoing conflicts in my life," Stewart reflected. "I pride myself on good relationships, positive relationships over time."

This week, I'm inviting my listeners to examine a conflict in your own life. What would it look like to approach it with resolutionary thinking? Share your reflections in the comments on YouTube.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication, where I share the tools and insights I've gathered over my 64-year career. To receive my weekly digest, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Show Notes

Stewart’s Website

Books:

• Getting to Resolution: Turning Conflict Into Collaboration

• The Book of Agreement: 10 Essential Elements for Getting the Results You Want

• Collaboration 2.0

News & Notes: The Endocannabinoid System and Physical Exercise

New research sheds light on how sustained physical exercise activates the body's endocannabinoid system, triggering a phenomenon known as a "runner's high" that can reduce pain, induce mild sedation, increase euphoria, and have anxiolytic effects. Endocannabinoids, which are like the body's own cannabis, are now understood to be the primary driver behind these exercise-induced psychophysical effects, more so than endorphins as previously thought.

A review by Matei et al. summarizes evidence that the anxiolytic and euphoric aspects of the runner's high depend on activation of specific cannabinoid receptors in the brain and periphery, not opioid signaling from endorphins. While endorphins are also released during exercise, the authors argue they cannot sufficiently cross the blood-brain barrier to alter mood and pain perception the way endocannabinoids can.

As the famous surrealist Salvador Dali once quipped, "I don't need drugs. I am drugs" - a fitting sentiment for the natural high induced by the body's own cannabinoid-like molecules during physical activity.

Dealing with Depression: The Importance of Movement

Let’s talk about depression. Depression can be exhausting. Unlike some other illnesses, depression can tire you out, making it difficult to carry out daily tasks and deal with the condition itself. In severe cases, known as clinical depression, individuals may struggle to even get out of bed for weeks at a time.

The key to managing depression is finding ways to get yourself moving. Movement is crucial in combating the symptoms of depression. The more you move, the better. However, when you're exhausted, it can be challenging to find the motivation to take action.

To overcome this hurdle, consider:

• Asking a friend or family member to visit and encourage you

• Reaching out to a support group or call service

• Finding an organization that can help you get moving

Remember, your life depends on taking action against depression. If left unchecked, depression can make everything seem gray and hopeless, even on a sunny day.

If you're struggling with depression, take a moment to reflect on the options available to you. Consider how you can incorporate more movement into your daily life, no matter how small the steps may seem.

My Books:

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

Explore the questions at the heart of the Psychedelic Renaissance

My daughter, Evacheska, Founder of Temple Sotto Luce, is speaking at the Plant Spirit Summit, a free, open-access conference taking place from June 23 - 29, 2024. She will be joining me and over 80 other experts and community leaders in a series of bold conversations and live panels as we answer these burning questions, and explore many more crucial issues at the heart of the Psychedelic Renaissance.

Evacheska will be talking about Integrating Spiritual Experiences from Plant Medicine Ceremonies into Everyday Life.

And if you join the conference, you'll get access to hearing from Western and Indigenous leaders on some of the complexities, nuances, and challenges arising from the mainstreaming of ancestral plant medicines, as well as gain access to short films and documentaries exploring indigenous culture and plant medicines - at no charge.

Join us for this collective conversation and co-create a fair and equitable Psychedelic Renaissance which honors ancestral wisdom

Click here to Register for The Plant Spirit Summit on June 23-29, 2024.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dear Friends,

In the early 1980s, as a clinical psychologist, I had a remarkable experience as a patient of Dr. Robert Cantor, the founder of the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology. He legally administered MDMA to me over a period of a year and a half, and the benefits were profound. My heart opened, my empathy increased, and my defenses lowered.

At the time, therapists across the United States were reporting amazing results using MDMA with couples, claiming they achieved more progress in a few sessions than in years of traditional therapy.

However, in 1985, amid growing concerns about recreational use – as well as misinformation about its neurotoxicity – the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) emergency scheduled MDMA as a Schedule I substance, effectively banning its use for any purpose, including medical research.

Around that time, Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), went before the government to seek approval for MDMA's medicinal use. Despite promising early research, the FDA rejected his proposal. Now, 39 years later, MAPS and its spinoff Lykos Therapeutics are still fighting for approval, only to face a significant setback this week.

An FDA governmental advisory committee voted 10-1 in favor of advising against recommending that MDMA be approved as medicine by the FDA in its upcoming August meeting. This decision comes after decades of rigorous clinical trials that have demonstrated MDMA's potential as a catalyst for psychotherapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health conditions. There is still a remote chance that the FDA will vote against its own advisors.

The government's main reason for this denial is that current MDMA studies fail to meet the gold standard of medical testing: the double-blind study. In this design, neither the administrators nor the patients know if they are receiving the actual medicine or a placebo. The FDA argues that a high percentage of subjects quickly determine whether they are in the placebo or experimental group based on the powerful effects of MDMA, compromising the study design.

However, this reasoning is flawed.

While the double-blind issue is valid, it should not be grounds for disqualification, especially when the medicine is demonstrably effective in approximately 80% of cases. The core question should be whether the positive effects are due to the medicine itself or a placebo effect enhanced by patients' awareness that they have received the active drug. In my view, this distinction is less important than the fact that patients are experiencing real benefits. If both the medicine and placebo effects are contributing to positive outcomes, that should be celebrated, not penalized.

The government's position appears to be clouded by the emotional stigma surrounding MDMA as a "party drug," despite the fact that many substances have both therapeutic and recreational applications. This bias should not prevent MDMA from being used as a powerful catalyst in a professional therapeutic context, where it could potentially help hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people.

Ultimately, the government's role should be to prioritize the wellbeing of its citizens and support interventions that can provide the greatest benefit to the most people. Allowing emotion and politics to override scientific evidence and real-world therapeutic outcomes is a disservice to public health.

The fight for MDMA therapy is not over, but the struggle has already spanned four decades. It is time for the government to adopt a more nuanced, compassionate approach and allow this promising treatment to become accessible to those who desperately need it.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard Louis Miller

Show Notes

• Patients with terminal illnesses often face debilitating anxiety, depression, and existential distress

• Psilocybin therapy has shown remarkable potential to alleviate end-of-life suffering in clinical trials

• "Right to Try" laws in over 40 states allow access to experimental drugs for the terminally ill, but the DEA is blocking access to psilocybin

• Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, a Seattle palliative care physician, is fighting a landmark legal case to win psilocybin access for his dying patients

• Some patients resort to underground psychedelics out of desperation; clinical psilocybin therapy would be far safer and more beneficial

• The case pits the DEA's scheduling of psilocybin against state laws and patient autonomy at the end of life

• Eight states and D.C. have filed amicus briefs supporting Dr. Aggarwal's case, arguing the DEA has overstepped

• A summer decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals could be a pivotal moment for psychedelic medicine

• The case highlights the need for a more compassionate, integrated approach to end-of-life care that addresses spiritual and existential dimensions

• Responsible, mindful use of psychedelics may help change both how we live and how we approach death

Subscribe for exclusive interviews with leading scientists, researchers, and health professionals on the frontiers of mind-body medicine and the politics of health. Get the latest insights in psychedelic science, integrative medicine, and beyond.

Links and Resources

Organizations:

• MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)

• Lykos Therapeutics (MAPS spinoff company

Concepts:

• Double-blind Study Design

• Placebo Effect

A Page from My Book

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of my forthcoming book, Psychedelic Medicine at the End of Life, now available for pre-order on Amazon.

There are certain topics that are career killers in academia—taboo subjects that threaten the established order. For Professor Ernest Hilgard, a renowned psychologist at Stanford University in the mid-twentieth century, hypnosis was one such subject.

When I was in graduate school in Michigan, Hilgard visited and gave a lecture on hypnosis.

After the lecture, I asked him, “For most of your career, you were studying rats, and just in recent years, you started researching hypnosis. How did that come about?”

He replied, “It was simple. If I had started with hypnosis right away, I wouldn’t have had a career. I waited until I was a full professor, and after I was tenured I was able to pursue my real interests.”

This cautionary tale has stayed with me for over half a century. When I first took the Morning Glory seeds containing LSA in 1965, I understood its profound potential—not only for healing and extinguishing my fears around death and dying but also for personal growth and creativity.

However, I also understood that embracing this insight could end my career before it even began. Psychedelics were taboo and for good reason: they threatened to upend centuries-old assumptions about the mind, the self, and human consciousness. Collectively, we are bound by death. Death grips us with fear, and we grip back at it. It seems that on top of our fear of death, there is another fear of losing our fear. To some, being free of the fear of death sounds frightening.

So, like Hilgard, I waited.

Instead of pursuing my interest in psychedelics as a researcher, I channeled my energy into political activism. Specifically, I advocated for what I believe to be a constitutional right—the right to ingest anything I want in the privacy of my own home, so long as I do not harm another person.

As an activist, I supported organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), founded by Rick Doblin; the Drug Policy Alliance (DPA), founded by Ethan Nadelman; and the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), founded by Rob Kampia; and the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), founded by Keith Stroup. I served as a fundraiser for these organizations and had the privilege of sitting on the National Board of Directors for the MPP.

For over fifty years, I observed how the United States government stigmatized psychedelics through propaganda, disinformation, fear, and the threat of prosecution. I have witnessed lives being ruined by misguided laws. For over fifty years, I waited for the cultural winds to shift and for institutions to open their doors again to legitimate scientific exploration of these extraordinary substances. The present revival of psychedelic research has been a long time coming, and, at last, the Dark Ages of scientific suppression appear to be possibly ending. I say “possibly” because even marijuana possession is still a federal crime and I doubt I will live to see the legalization of LSD, which is arguably the most beneficial psychedelic substance.

This shift is happening in no small part due to the new approach being taken by psychedelic researchers, prioritizing medical and psychological research to alleviate various physical and mental health conditions.

This new era of psychedelic science is confirming what I, as well as many others, learned over fifty-five years ago: that these novel medicines have the potential to revolutionize our understanding, and treatment of the human mind and to facilitate creativity. The experiences I had in the 1960s now have the support of numerous clinical trials and brain scans. There are discoveries to be made and lives to transform.

The future of these substances is bright if we have the courage and wisdom to follow where they lead us. However, we have only just begun to understand the promises and potential perils of psychedelics.

My Other Books

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

Event: Can Ancestral Medicines Heal Humanity?

Is there a place for ancestral wisdom in the Psychedelic Renaissance?

Register for the open-access Plant Spirit Summit (June 23-29, 2024) and join me and 80+ experts and community leaders in a series of bold conversations on the essential role that ancestral medicines play in the Psychedelic Renaissance. Topics include:

• Ancient Medicine for Modern Times: the Vital Role Ancestral Medicines Play in the Psychedelic Renaissance

• Ceremony as a Service: Exploring the Landscape of Facilitated Psychedelic Experiences

• Overcoming Ethnoracial Barriers to Participation in the Psychedelic Renaissance

• How to Uphold Ethics, Boundaries, and Consent in Psychedelic Therapy

In 7 immersive days, you can access interviews with experts and indigenous wisdom keepers, live panels discussing emerging trends in the psychedelic sector, and short films and documentaries exploring indigenous culture and plant medicines - at no charge.

Click here to Register for The Plant Spirit Summit on June 23-29, 2024

Connect with me on Social Media

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What if you were facing a terminal illness, wracked by anxiety and depression, and knew that a safe, promising treatment existed - but was denied to you?

This is the heart-wrenching reality for many of Dr. Sunil Aggarwal's patients. A palliative care physician in Seattle, Dr. Aggarwal is fighting a landmark legal case for the right to treat his dying patients with psilocybin-assisted therapy.

Psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, has shown remarkable potential in easing end-of-life distress.

But despite the "Right to Try" laws passed in over 40 states, the DEA is blocking access - even for those with just months to live.

"We're slowly trying to chip away at a mentality that says there's no way forward except research," Dr. Aggarwal told me. "Psychedelic substances - we already recognize they have great utility. Everybody knows the FDA has said twice that psilocybin is a breakthrough therapy."

In my latest interview, Dr. Aggarwal and I explore:

• The anguish of terminal illness and the failure of medicine to adequately address existential suffering

• The immense promise of psilocybin therapy to relieve anxiety, depression, and fear of death in the dying

• The David vs. Goliath legal battle for patients' "right to try" psilocybin when time is running out

• The evolution of psychedelics from counterculture to cutting-edge medicine

• The importance of mindful, responsible use of psychedelics in a supportive clinical setting

In a life-or-death struggle that epitomizes the phrase "health is political," Dr. Aggarwal is taking on the DEA to defend his patients' right to access a treatment that could bring them peace in their final days. Eight states and D.C. have filed briefs supporting his case, but the DEA remains intransigent.

"When you are told you have an incurable disease, that all we can do is extend your lifespan for a certain amount of time, the psycho-spiritual toll that places on somebody's mind is very high," Dr. Aggarwal told me.

Some of his patients – desperate for relief from crushing anxiety and depression – seek out psilocybin on the underground market.

"I can offer harm reduction strategies, but I don't think that's good enough," he said. "We should be caring for people a little differently when death is staring them in the face."

Dr. Aggarwal's own journey has taken him from the NIH to NYU to founding an integrative medicine clinic in Seattle. Trained as an MD and PhD in medical geography, he sees access to psilocybin in the context of public health, the environment, and human rights.

"It's heartbreaking that dying patients continue to suffer when they could be getting relief," says Kathryn Tucker, Dr. Aggarwal's attorney and director of advocacy at the National Psychedelics Association. "The DEA has interposed itself to nullify duly enacted state and federal law. It's way out of its lane."

As we wait for a decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals this summer, Dr. Aggarwal hopes his case can be a tipping point.

"As a society, we spend a lot of time trying to help people live well, but we also should be helping people to die well," he told me. "Psychedelics can remind us there might be a whole other vista beyond our limited vision."

This week, I'm inviting my listeners to share their views:

Should terminally ill patients have the "right to try" psychedelics if they may ease their suffering?

Takeaways

• Patients with terminal illnesses often face debilitating anxiety, depression, and existential distress

• Psilocybin therapy has shown remarkable potential to alleviate end-of-life suffering in clinical trials

• "Right to Try" laws in over 40 states allow access to experimental drugs for the terminally ill, but the DEA is blocking access to psilocybin

• Dr. Sunil Aggarwal, a Seattle palliative care physician, is fighting a landmark legal case to win psilocybin access for his dying patients

• Some patients resort to underground psychedelics out of desperation; clinical psilocybin therapy would be far safer and more beneficial

• The case pits the DEA's scheduling of psilocybin against state laws and patient autonomy at the end of life

• Eight states and D.C. have filed amicus briefs supporting Dr. Aggarwal's case, arguing the DEA has overstepped

• A summer decision from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals could be a pivotal moment for psychedelic medicine

• The case highlights the need for a more compassionate, integrated approach to end-of-life care that addresses spiritual and existential dimensions

• Responsible, mindful use of psychedelics may help change both how we live and how we approach death

Subscribe for exclusive interviews with leading scientists, researchers, and health professionals on the frontiers of mind-body medicine and the politics of health. Get the latest insights in psychedelic science, integrative medicine, and beyond.

Links and Resources

Dr. Sunil Aggarwal:

• AIMS Institute (Advanced Integrative Medical Science Institute)

• Twitter

• Instagram

Organizations & Concepts:

• Right to Try Laws

• Controlled Substances Act

• National Psychedelics Association

• Goldwater Institute

• NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study

Research & Clinical Trials:

• Psilocybin-assisted Therapy for Anxiety in Patients with Life-threatening Cancer

• Psilocybin-assisted Group Therapy for Demoralization in Long-term AIDS Survivors

• Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder

• Psilocybin for Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Life-Threatening Cancer

Media Coverage:

• Do Dying People Have a Right to Try Magic Mushrooms? - LA Times

• Seattle Doctor Sues DEA, Seeking OK for Psilocybin Use by the Dying - The Seattle Times

Miscellaneous:

• Be Here Now by Ram Dass

• Roland Griffiths

• Mazatec People

My Books

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

Connect with me on Social Media

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dear Friends,

Have you ever felt like giving up when faced with a seemingly insurmountable challenge?

I know I have. But what I've learned through my own experiences is that persistence and consistent effort can work wonders.

It all started with a devastating motorcycle accident that left me with both legs crushed. As I lay on the highway, I closed my eyes and prepared for the worst. But then, a voice inside me said these words:

"You can still make a contribution."

That was the moment I decided to fight for my life.

The doctors told me I'd never walk again, but I refused to accept that. After a grueling surgery, in which I had to persuade the surgeon not to amputate my legs, I set an ambitious goal for myself: to complete a triathlon within two years. It started with a single step, then two, then three. I kept pushing myself, day after day, week after week. And you know what? I did it. I completed that triathlon, even though I had to use crutches.

But my journey wasn't just about physical recovery. You see, exercise isn't just good for your body; it's also incredibly powerful for your mind. I often cite a study from Duke University, first brought to my attention by the great Robert Whitaker (author of Anatomy of an Epidemic), which found that exercise can be even more effective than medication for treating major depression.

The key is to start small and be consistent.

Whether it's a brisk walk around the block or a few push-ups during your work breaks, every little bit counts.

As I like to say, "A little something over a long period of time is a lot of something."

So, my challenge to you is this: set a small goal for yourself and stick to it. Whether it's physical, mental, or emotional, find something that you can work towards each and every day. And remember, you're not alone in this journey. We're all in this together.

I'd love to hear from you:

What small goal will you set for yourself today?

Share your thoughts in the comments below or send me a message on social media. Let's inspire each other to keep pushing forward, one step at a time.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

Takeaways

• Exercise can be as effective as medication for treating major depression, according to a Duke University study.

• Persistence and consistent effort are key to overcoming even the most daunting challenges.

• Setting small, achievable goals and working towards them every day can lead to significant progress over time.

• Exercise is not only beneficial for physical health but also for mental and emotional well-being.

• Sharing our experiences and supporting one another can help us stay motivated and inspired on our journeys.

Mind Body Health & Politics brings you exclusive interviews with leading scientists, researchers, and health professionals, exploring the frontiers of mind-body medicine and the politics of health. Get the latest insights in psychedelic science, integrative medicine, and beyond

Links and Resources

• Anatomy of an Epidemic: Magic Bullets, Psychiatric Drugs, and the Astonishing Rise of Mental Illness in America, by Robert Whitaker

• Duke University Study: Exercise May Be Just As Effective As Medication For Treating Major Depression

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Why is MDMA so effective at treating PTSD?

Does microdosing LSD affect depressed individuals differently than those with a more positive outlook?

Some of us have been waiting for answers to these kinds of questions about psychedelics for more than 50 years.

As a young academic in the 1960s, I had my own life-changing experiences with psychedelics, which set me on a new career path as a clinical psychologist. But like many of my generation, I watched with dismay as these powerful tools were demonized and criminalized in the decades that followed, driven underground by a combination of political backlash and cultural stigma.

Now, we find myself in the midst of a remarkable resurgence of interest in psychedelic medicine. From the halls of academia to the pages of mainstream media, there is a growing recognition that compounds like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA may hold tremendous potential for treating a wide range of mental health conditions, from depression and addiction to PTSD and end-of-life anxiety.

Thanks to brave researchers like Dr. Harriet de Wit, we're finally getting more answers.

Dr. de Wit, a Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Chicago, spent decades studying various drugs before focusing on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

However, when she first began exploring LSD microdosing, she was cautious about openly discussing her research. "I was very nervous about doing LSD research to begin with because of the stigma," she revealed.

To minimize attention, she referred to her first study as a "serotonin agonist" study, even though she still named it as LSD in the description.

The approval process for her study took nearly two years.

Her groundbreaking work has been published in prestigious journals like Neuropsychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry.

In my latest interview, Dr. de Wit shares fascinating insights on:

• MDMA's unique effects on our sensitivity to negative emotions in other people’s faces

• The dose-dependent effects of LSD microdosing on mood and cognition

• The importance of controlled research to maximize benefits and minimize risks

Dr. DeWit's research shows that these compounds have the ability to reshape neural pathways and facilitate deep emotional healing.

"MDMA is technically not a psychedelic, but it does have unique effects that make it useful in therapy."

But to fully realize this potential, we will need to do more than just demonstrate their efficacy in clinical trials. We will need to develop new models of care that integrate psychedelic therapies into the broader landscape of mental health services, while ensuring that they are delivered safely, ethically, and not just for the wealthy.

We may also need to challenge long-held assumptions about the nature of mental illness and the ability to consciously control the healing process.

"Microdosing LSD under controlled conditions allows for the study of its effects without the influence of expectations." – Dr. Harriet de Wit

For Dr. DeWit, this process of integration is not only necessary but inevitable. "I would like to go on forever," she told me with a smile. "It's fascinating to ask all these questions, and there seems to be an infinite number of them."

One of the most pressing needs is for continued funding and institutional support for rigorous, well-designed studies that can provide definitive answers to the many questions that remain.

This week, I’m inviting my listeners to share their most pressing unanswered questions about psychedelics. Please share them on YouTube, or send me a Direct Message on Instagram.

While you’re there, be sure to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss my answers.

Takeaways

• Harriet DeWit has a long and distinguished career in science, particularly in psychedelic science.

• Her research has focused on amphetamines, MDMA, and microdosing LSD.

• MDMA has unique effects, including increased sociability, empathy, and a reduction in the feeling of rejection.

• Microdosing LSD at low doses has shown potential therapeutic benefits.

• There are risks and limitations associated with these substances, including the potential for misuse and exclusion of individuals with cardiovascular issues from research studies.

• Individual responses to microdosing LSD vary, with the subsensate cutoff point ranging between 10 and 15 micrograms.

• Microdosing can lead to increased energy and arousal, but not necessarily distortions or emotional effects.

• Microdosing has potential as an antidepressant, but further research is needed.

• Measures used in microdosing research include self-report questionnaires and EEG.

• Caution and responsible use of psychedelics are necessary due to their powerful effects.

Mind Body Health & Politics brings you exclusive interviews with leading scientists, researchers, and health professionals, exploring the frontiers of mind-body medicine and the politics of health. Get the latest insights in psychedelic science, integrative medicine, and beyond.

Links and Resources

• Harriet de Wit - University of Chicago Profile

• Microdosing LSD: What the Research Says - UChicago Medicine

• Psychedelic Science Conference

• Greater subjective effects of a low dose of LSD in participants with depressed mood - Study

• Methamphetamine's Impact on Social Bonding vs. MDMA - PsyPost

• Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies - ScienceDirect

My Books

• Freeing Sexuality: Psychologists, Consent Teachers, Polyamory Experts, and Sex Workers Speak Out

• Psychedelic Wisdom: The Astonishing Rewards of Mind-Altering Substances

• Psychedelic Medicine: The Healing Powers of LSD, MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ayahuasca

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy(co-edited with Jason A. Butler & Genesee Herzberg)

Connect with me on Social Media

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In this special monologue episode, Dr. Richard L. Miller shares his secret to a happy life: taking control of your mind. Drawing from his 64 years of experience and personal struggles, Dr. Miller emphasizes the importance of persistent practice in managing thoughts and emotions. He recounts how "mind control" and "Dog Yoga" helped him overcome physical challenges following a motorcycle accident and the recent pandemic. With his trademark wisdom and humor, Dr. Miller invites listeners to join his growing Instagram community and submit their questions for future episodes. Discover why 1.1 million viewers have already tuned in to learn how to master their minds and improve their lives.

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Obi Kaufmann, artist, writer, and conservationist, discusses California's ecology, water management, and biodiversity. Kaufmann challenges conventional environmentalism, questioning the language used to describe nature and the paradox of trading nature to save it. He emphasizes the importance of indigenous-led ecological thought and the resilience provided by biodiversity. Kaufmann shares insights from his book "The State of Water" and his upcoming release "The State of Fire: Why California Burns."

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I sit down with the trailblazing Dr. John McDougall, a leading expert in plant-based nutrition and the author of the groundbreaking book, "The Starch Solution." Dr. McDougall shares his decades of experience as a physician and researcher, revealing the power of a whole-food, starch-based diet in preventing and reversing chronic diseases, promoting sustainable weight loss, and optimizing overall health. Discover how shifting away from animal products and processed foods and embracing starches like rice, potatoes, and corn can transform your life and the planet. Dr. McDougall also delves into the environmental impact of our dietary choices, the role of the food industry in shaping public perception, and practical tips for adopting a plant-based lifestyle. To learn more about Dr. McDougall's work and access a wealth of resources, visit his website at www.drmcdougall.com.

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Cathy Reisenwitz is a writer and creator of the Sex and the State substack publication. She has been featured on TV and in various publications such as TechCrunch, The Week, VICE, and Daily Beast. In this podcast episode, Cathy discusses the concept of authoritarianism and its impact on society. She explores the traits of an authoritarian personality, including a focus on conformity, lack of diversity, and a preference for in-groups. Cathy also delves into the connection between violence and authoritarianism and how it relates to social and political ideologies. The episode highlights the differences between authoritarianism and liberalism, emphasizing the pro-social nature of the latter. Overall, the discussion sheds light on the complexities of authoritarianism and its implications for society.

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Podcast Episode: David Nutt - Psychedelics and Mental Health

Guest: Professor David Nutt Short Bio: David Nutt is a psychiatrist specializing in the effects of drugs on the brain. He has made significant contributions to our understanding of how psychedelics work and their clinical applications. He co-founded the first academic psychedelic research center and has recently launched his book "Psychedelics: The Revolutionary Drugs That Could Change Your Life – A Guide from the Expert."

In the podcast episode, Professor David Nutt delves into the history of psychedelic prohibition, discussing its significant impact on research and clinical treatment. He underscores the potential of psychedelics as a potent treatment for various mental health conditions, such as depression, PTSD, and addiction. The conversation explores the adverse effects of psychedelics, the suppression of science, and the evolving societal attitudes towards these substances. Further, Professor Nutt shares insights about his forthcoming trial that uses psilocybin to treat heroin addiction. He believes in the power of psychedelics to assist individuals in reframing their attitudes and lifestyles.

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Dr. Robert Strahan, a highly accomplished psychiatrist, shares his insights on the crucial topic of adverse effects in psychedelic medicine. With a diverse background spanning forensic psychiatry, integrative medicine, and leadership roles in prestigious institutions, Dr. Strahan emphasizes the importance of transparency, proper screening, and preparation when considering psychedelic treatments.

Explore the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics, the significance of set and setting, and practical strategies for managing challenging experiences. Gain valuable insights into the future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and the need for a comprehensive approach to patient care.

Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation that delves into the intersection of psychedelics, mental health, and personal well-being. Subscribe to MindBody Health and Politics for more cutting-edge discussions on science, spirit, and society.

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Jules Evans is an author and researcher with a particular interest in psychedelic medicine and adverse effects. He has personal experience with a challenging trip that led him to explore mental health and philosophy. Jules is dedicated to understanding the risks and harms associated with psychedelics and finding ways to support individuals who have had challenging experiences.

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Chris Ryan, author of Sex at Dawn and Civilized to Death, and host of Tangentially Speaking podcast, questions the concept of normative heterosexual monogamy as a sustainable way of people living together. He argues that understanding human nature as a promiscuous species can lead to more compassion and self-awareness in relationships. Ryan discusses the cultural and historical influences on our perception of monogamy and challenges the assumption that it is a natural and universal behavior. He highlights the importance of considering hunter-gatherer societies and anthropological evidence in understanding human sexual behavior.

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Kelan Thomas, pharmacologist and pharmacist, explores the potential risks and benefits of psychedelics in a podcast episode. He discusses the effects of different substances on receptors in the body and the importance of understanding their mechanisms of action. The conversation delves into topics such as the combination of psychedelics with SSRIs, the potential risks of heart valve problems, and the use of MDMA in therapeutic settings. Kelan emphasizes the need for responsible use and provides insights into the effects and potential risks of various substances.

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Valerie White, a polyamory advocate, chronicles the challenges and joys of living in a polyamorous polycule. She discusses the dynamics of her relationship with her partner Ken and his other partner Peg, highlighting the importance of open communication and therapy in navigating jealousy and evolving relationship dynamics. Valerie also shares insights on the Polyamory Foundation, a grant-making organization that supports individuals in the polyamory community. Throughout the episode, Valerie emphasizes the significance of not sweating the small stuff and embracing the uniqueness of each individual in a polyamorous relationship.

Valerie White is the executive director of SFLDEF, a board member of the Polyamory Foundation, and the founding president of UU's for Polyamory Awareness. She has also served as the past president of the Vermont ACLU chapter.

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In this episode, relationship expert Jessica Fern delves into the challenges and joys of open relationships. She discusses strategies for navigating jealousy and provides insights into the future of non-monogamous relationships. Jessica highlights the significance of having a guide and support system when embarking on this social experiment. The conversation also explores the necessity for new terminology to describe various relationship dynamics, as well as the influence of societal movements on the acceptance of non-monogamy. Throughout the episode, Jessica offers practical advice on strengthening attachment, establishing rituals, and cultivating secure relationships.

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Rachel Lehmann-Haupt, an expert in single motherhood and author, chronicles the journey of being a single mom by choice. In this episode, we examine the challenges and joys of single motherhood, discussing topics such as reproductive choice, community support, and the importance of acceptance. We also explore the cultural changes needed to fully embrace different family structures and highlights the need for flexibility in the workplace.

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Paul Austin, psychedelic advocate and founder of the Third Wave, discusses the benefits of microdosing and the importance of integrating it with healthy lifestyle habits. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of income inequality and the need for social change. Paul chronicles the role of psychedelics in catalyzing personal and collective transformation, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with nature and reestablishing a reciprocal relationship with the environment.

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In this episode, psychotherapist and researcher Dr. Neal Goldsmith takes us on a journey exploring the nature of consciousness and the universe. We delve into the world of psychospiritual development and the transformative potential of psychedelics, and discuss the importance of breathing and the developmental process in therapy. Neal speaks about the need for a deep understanding of oneself and the universe to become a good therapist. He challenges the notion that psychedelics alone can lead to mature development, and explores the balance between suggestibility and grounded emergence – emphasizing the safety and effectiveness of tribal models for spiritual growth.

Dr. Neal Goldsmith

We also explore the role of psychedelics in personal growth and the question of whether they can obviate the need for "hard work" in spiritual practices. Neal shares insights on transcending childhood "demons" through blissful psychedelic experiences and the potential implications of psychedelics in medicine, science, and society.

Finally, Goldsmith and I critique capitalism and discusses the negative impact of campaign finance on American politics.

Neal's philosophy centers around healing the rift between humans and nature, integrating opposites, and embracing spirituality and science. His clinical approach emphasizes spiritual maturity and natural unfolding, fostering a broader view of reality and the awakening of one's true self.

About the Guest: Neal M. Goldsmith, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, author, and licensed psychotherapist specializing in psychospiritual development. He is a personality theorist, strategic planner, policy researcher, public speaker, and salonier. Dr. Goldsmith has authored dozens of popular and scholarly articles and curates and hosts innovative workshops, salons, and conferences. He frequently speaks on psychotherapy and resistance to change, adult developmental psychology, psychedelics research, therapy and policy, and the post-modern future of society. Dr. Goldsmith's first book, Psychedelic Healing: The Promise of Entheogens for Psychotherapy and Spiritual Development (Inner Traditions, 2011), describes the influence of psychedelics on the development of his personality theory and clinical practice. He is currently working on his second book, Psyche Therapy: Soul, Death, Love.

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I'm thrilled to share my recent interview with Dr. Ben Sessa, a leading figure in the field of psychedelic research and the author of The Psychedelic Renaissance.

Dr. Ben Sessa is a qualified medical professional who obtained his medical degree from University College London in 1997. He has been a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists since 2002. With a specialization in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry from Oxford in 2005, Dr. Sessa has worked in various mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services and Adult Addictions and the Veterans Trauma Service. He has academic ties to Bristol University and Imperial College London since 2006.

Dr. Sessa has held significant positions in the field of psychedelic medicine, including being a former co-founder, Chief Medical Officer, and Head of Psychedelic Medicine at Awakn Life Sciences from 2020 to 2023. He is trained in MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine therapy. As the founder of Breaking Convention, Europe's largest psychedelic conference, Dr. Sessa has played a pivotal role in promoting psychedelic research and education.

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Sessa is actively involved in drug policy reform and provides advice to the UK government. He has made regular media appearances, sharing his expertise in the fields of cannabis and psychedelic medicines. Dr. Sessa has presented at national and international conferences and has published extensively in both academic and popular press. For more information on his publications, books, and media inputs, please visit his website.

Dr. Sessa provides valuable insights into the history and current state of psychedelic research. We discuss the development of the field, from the early days of pioneering studies to the present psychedelic renaissance. He highlights the importance of patient demand and the need for alternative treatments in driving this resurgence.

Join me in this enlightening discussion as we dive into the realm of psychedelic research and its potential to revolutionize mental healthcare.

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Dr. David Smith, founder of the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic, shares his perspective on the relationship between psychedelics and addiction. He challenges the theory that psychedelics directly lead to addiction, emphasizing the influence of other factors such as predatory drug dealers. Join the conversation to explore the complexities of this topic and gain insights into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics.

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Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading researcher in psychedelic science, examines the impact of psychedelics on the brain and discusses the future of mind-altering therapies, while delving into topics such as brain connectivity, suggestibility, and harm reduction.

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Dive into the intricacies of psychedelic side effects, integration processes, and societal 'matrix' on 'Mind, Body, Health, and Politics'. Join Dr. Richard Miller and Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini in a compelling dialogue that unravels the challenges and necessities of transparent and informed discussions in the field of psychedelic medicine.

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Dive into the intricacies of psychedelic side effects, integration processes, and societal 'matrix' on 'Mind, Body, Health, and Politics'. Join Dr. Richard Miller and Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini in a compelling dialogue that unravels the challenges and necessities of transparent and informed discussions in the field of psychedelic medicine.

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Richard Dixey, research scientist and meditation practitioner, examines the concept of reactivity and its effects on our daily lives. He chronicles the journey of rediscovering our humanity through meditation, exploring the power of self-awareness and the potential for personal transformation.

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Jahan Khamsehzadeh, psychedelic guide and addiction specialist, chronicles psychedelic risks like trauma and impaired judgment while examining how certain leaders justify unethical actions through "spiritual bypassing" and "guru syndrome" mentalities that condemn anger, a vital emotion for positive change.

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Psychedelic medicine pioneer Sherry Rais joins Dr. Richard Miller to discuss expanding access through insurance coverage. The Enthea founder shares her quest to navigate psychedelic reimbursement and reduce human suffering.

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In this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller celebrates the life and legacy of Dr. Roland Griffiths, a pioneering figure in the field of psychedelic medicine. Dr. Griffiths persisted in conducting groundbreaking research on psychedelics, even during a time when they were heavily stigmatized and restricted. His research focused on the therapeutic potential of substances like psilocybin in treating anxiety and depression. Dr. Miller reflects on his early interview with Dr. Griffiths and highlights the profound impact of his work on the psychedelic renaissance happening today.

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Susanne Seiler, Swiss psychedelic therapist and activist, explores how Switzerland maintained psychedelic therapy through the ban, highlights forgotten women leaders, and fosters community through interdisciplinary salons, sharing insights on unity, love, and believing in human goodness.

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Elisabeth Sheff, a renowned expert in polyamorous relationships, chronicles the intricacies of non-monogamy and its effects on families. She delves into the emotional complexities, societal stigma, and advantages of polyamory, while discussing related topics like fluid bonding and coming out to family members.

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Mike Marinacci, author and historian, chronicles the little-known history of fringe churches and cults who pioneered psychedelic sacraments despite jail time while examining their influences on religious freedom today.

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Amy McGuire, director of the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, chronicles the mental health crisis while exploring psilocybin and MDMA research into depression, PTSD, and anxiety. She traces the nuances of psychedelic legalization and medicalization.

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Sean Lawlor, psychedelic therapist and author, chronicles the concerning trend of "psychedelic bypassing" - avoiding discussion of adverse effects and unethical behavior in the name of protecting psychedelics' public image. He examines egregious examples like facilitators justifying abuse, backlash against constructive criticism, and "guru syndrome." Lawlor and Dr. Richard Miller explore the vital need for transparency regarding psychedelic risks to uphold ethics amid today's open access.

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Today's guest Dr. Rachel Harris joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to discuss her latest book, Swimming in the Sacred: Reclaiming the Mystical Essence of Psychedelic Therapy. They explore Rachel's interviews with elder underground psychedelic guides who have been serving plant medicines for decades.

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Clinical psychologist Heath Scheckinger examines polyamory and consensual non-monogamy, chronicling the practical realities and ethical dilemmas in these alternative relationship styles while exploring cultural biases and the pull towards normalcy in relating.

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Dr. Nick Cozzi, acclaimed psychopharmacologist, chronicles the overlooked physiological and psychological dangers of psychedelics like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin while exploring proper precautions for safe use.

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Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

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Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

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Andrés Gómez Emilsson of Qualia Research Institute joins us to discuss innovating at the frontiers of psychedelic science. We explore Andrés' work mathematically mapping DMT experiences and collaborating with physicists to interpret objects in psychedelic realms. Andrés also shares his research developing technology to induce therapeutic psychedelic states through sound, light and vibration. Additional topics include using meditation to cultivate well-being, engineering benevolent machine consciousness, and prescribing psychedelics to eradicate cluster headaches.

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Listener John Ivey shares his wisdom facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, and how psychedelics unveil insight even at life’s end. With poise and courage, John discusses embracing impermanence consciously with plant medicines’ aid, not numbing his final days. He reflects on healing our planet and ourselves, our shared karma, and psychedelics as a catalyst for creativity amid declining health. John inspires by exemplifying responsibility for spiritual unfolding in living and dying, not relinquishing control. His moving story offers hope that psychedelics can provide a lucid, gracious passage.

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In this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Marian Goodell, CEO of Burning Man, about the history and principles of the iconic cultural event. Goodell discusses the origins of Burning Man as a solstice bonfire ritual on a San Francisco beach, and how it has evolved into a global movement centered around radical inclusion, gifting, and communal effort.

She also talks about the challenges of maintaining Burning Man's ethos in the face of commercialization and political polarization, and how the organization aims to inspire positive social and cultural change through its principles. This episode offers a fascinating insight into the philosophy and culture of one of the world's most unique and influential events.

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In this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller speaks with returning guest Dennis McKenna, an ethnobotanist who is working to digitize and preserve indigenous plant knowledge from the Amazon.

They have an in-depth conversation about the potential adverse effects of psychedelics - emotional, physiological, and relating to boundaries/ethics. Topics include how set, setting, preparation, and integration influence the psychedelic experience and minimize risks.

Other themes include reality-checking insights, persisting perceptual effects, appropriate therapist boundaries, assessing risks versus benefits, and societal views on trauma and sexuality.

Overall the episode covers how psychedelics can catalyze change and growth, but also the importance of safe, structured use and integration. Dennis shares insights from decades of research to paint a full picture of psychedelics.

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"Nature will be just fine. This is about saving us and our relationship with nature." - Tony Lai

How Tony Lai came to discover Gross National Happiness and the rights of nature movements.

The importance of shaping laws to promote values that will enable nature to thrive and flourish.

The stages of legibility in the legal system and what giving agency means.

Recognizing that nature will be just fine, and that saving nature is about saving us and our relationship with it.

The revolution in value and the potential for regenerative finance, law, and governance.

The importance of participatory processes and building intentional communities.

Tony Lai's experience living in the Embassy Network and experimenting with different governance systems.

The potential of AI and large language learning models to foster greater understanding among peoples.

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org

"Nature will be just fine. This is about saving us and our relationship with nature." - Tony Lai

How Tony Lai came to discover Gross National Happiness and the rights of nature movements.

The importance of shaping laws to promote values that will enable nature to thrive and flourish.

The stages of legibility in the legal system and what giving agency means.

Recognizing that nature will be just fine, and that saving nature is about saving us and our relationship with it.

The revolution in value and the potential for regenerative finance, law, and governance.

The importance of participatory processes and building intentional communities.

Tony Lai's experience living in the Embassy Network and experimenting with different governance systems.

The potential of AI and large language learning models to foster greater understanding among peoples.

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Dear listeners,

This week, I am attending the historic MAPS psychedelic science conference in Denver—along with my guest, UCLA psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher Charles Grob. Thanks to the research of pioneers like Grob, we are winning hearts and minds in the mainstream. Nixon’s failed War on Drugs appears ending.

On Thursday, June 22, at 12 pm MT, I will take to the Rick Doblin stage to announce a nationwide campaign to decriminalize psychedelics locally. I believe that these medicines have the potential to boost morale in depressed areas like my own home town of Ft. Bragg, which is why I have begun my efforts there. We appear to be succeeding, based on the positive response by city officials and local media.

But the fight continues on several new fronts.

First, new industries emerging where psychedelics are legal see unethical actors—unqualified “therapists” and profit-driven pharmaceutical companies. As Dr. Grob reminds us in this week’s interview, we need oversight.

We are also hearing more stories of adverse effects in vulnerable groups. We lack data—both scientific and anecdotal. I’m soliciting stories of negative experiences for my forthcoming series, and invite you to share yours.

Yet despite risks and adverse effects, we must continue to expand access. Criminalization prevents honest, law-abiding citizens from accessing these profound tools. With open yet responsible guidance, psychedelics’ healing promise can be fulfilled.

These treatments aren’t for everyone; we need more trained professionals and standards for guides—whether from government or private certifying bodies. But above all, we need open and honest discussion. I aim to provide transparent information.

Toward this end, I will soon be making my transcripts and videos accessible to all subscribers. If you are a paid subscriber, I would like your input on what kind of premium/exclusive content you would like me and my team to produce.

Please email my producer your suggestions at producer@mindbodyhealthpolitics.org with your ideas.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

Key Takeaways:

• Dr. Charles Grob's research has focused on end-of-life care, building upon the work of researchers from previous generations, such as Stan Grof.

• Psychedelic research still faces regulatory hurdles and needs further study.

• Eric Kast learned in the 1960s that set and setting were crucial for optimizing outcomes and minimizing harm.

• Diversity and inclusion are crucial for ethical research.

• For-profit companies may prioritize profits over patients, so government oversight is needed to balance commercial interests with public health.

• Trained health professionals are preferred to ensure safety.

• Close screening and monitoring are needed to minimize risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

• With care and responsibility, psychedelic tools may help revive well-being and human connection in times of deepest despair.

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• MAPS psychedelic science conference

• Charles Grob

• Stan Grof

The podcast and abbreviated notes are always freely available thanks to our paid subscribers. Please share this post to show your support for transparency.

The following article distills the key points from this show into a condensed form. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to access the full transcripts, and support our broadcast.

The therapeutic potential of psychedelics

New studies on psilocybin and MDMA have shown promising results for applications such as end-of-life care and the treatment of anxiety and depression, including the work of my most recent guest, Dr. Charles Grob of UCLA medical school.

Much of Dr. Grob’s seminal research has focused on end-of-life care, building upon the work of researchers from previous generations, such as Stan Grof.

Dr. Grob points out that “the use of a psychedelic treatment model for people experiencing significant anxiety approaching the end of life really started in the early 1960s.”

One pioneer was Eric Kast, a physician in Chicago, who obtained LSD from Sandoz Pharmaceuticals to treat chronic pain and anxiety in terminally-ill patients. Kast learned that set and setting were crucial for optimizing outcomes and minimizing harm. Set refers to a person’s mindset and intention. Setting refers to the environment and conditions.

“Kast understood how to safely administer the drug. He treated many patients with chronic pain and found impressive results, including reduced pain, less anxiety, and improved quality of life.”

While promising, psychedelic research still faces regulatory hurdles and needs further study. As Grob told me, “The D.E.A. has strict rules for studying Schedule 1 drugs.”

Researchers follow strict protocols to obtain and store substances like psilocybin and MDMA. Grob said he hopes that “the government creates funding and oversight for optimal safety.”

More research is also needed to understand benefits and risks, especially for vulnerable groups. Grob recalled a tragedy that highlights the need for caution: “A few years ago, a seventy-four-year-old man tried mushrooms for the first time. Within an hour, he died of cardiac arrest. He may have had a heart condition triggered by psilocybin. This shows we need to understand psychedelics’ effects, especially in vulnerable people.” While anecdotal, the story indicates the need to closely monitor at-risk patients.

Clearly, more research and oversight can fully illuminate psychedelics’ risks and benefits to enable their safe use, particularly in medical settings. Recent studies suggest psychedelics may relieve conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. With safety precautions and approvals, psychedelics could revolutionize fields like psychotherapy and end-of-life care. Rigorous research is critical to understanding them.

Optimizing safety and ethics in psychedelic research

As Grob has emphasized, “The success of this field depends on maintaining strong safety standards.”

He outlined six principles for ethical research:

• optimizing safety;

• learning from past mistakes;

• promoting diversity and inclusion;

• navigating regulations;

• choosing funding carefully; and

• strengthening ethics.

Learning from past mistakes, like irresponsible research practices, is critical.

“We owe a debt to early researchers from the fifties and sixties. We must also learn from indigenous groups who’ve used these plants for millennia.”

Many understood how to prepare subjects, guide experiences, and help them integrate insights—all while preventing harm.

Diversity and inclusion are also crucial.

“Most subjects and researchers have been middle-class, white, and male. We need more women, minorities, and people of color.”

Their voices can enrich discussions on safety, access, and therapeutic approaches.

Government funding and oversight are needed to ensure safety, given concerns that for-profit companies prioritize profits over patients.

“Government oversight is needed to maintain safety standards. Traditionally, research has relied on philanthropy, but for-profits want to profit, not optimize safety.”

Government guidance can balance commercial interests with public health.

While private investments have increased, government intervention is still crucial. For-profit companies may seek patents that restrict access or cut costs in ways that compromise safety.

“For-profits want to enhance investor returns, not optimize safety like adding extra facilitators.”

Government funding can support optimal treatment models and cover their higher costs.

With government oversight, psychedelic research can promote well-being and connection for all in a safe, ethical way. Learning from past mistakes, valuing diversity, and securing oversight beyond commercial interests are all necessary to fulfill the promise of psychedelic care. By upholding safety and ethics, researchers can build trust in tools that may otherwise seem radical or strange, slowly reviving their therapeutic potential after decades of dormancy and stigma. With care and responsibility, psychedelic sciences can blossom again.

The proliferation of psychedelic coaches and the need for proper qualifications

The rise of self-described “psychedelic coaches” concerns Grob, who values formal training and licensure to ensure subject safety and comfort addressing psychological issues.

“I’ve met capable facilitators without advanced degrees, but as this field grows, proper qualifications are key. Mental health professionals know psychopathology and can screen for risks. Some ‘coaches’ promote recreational use, not healing. We must prevent irresponsible practices that led to criminalization.”

While interest in psychedelics has grown, healing requires more than plant or pill alone.

“Psychedelics aren’t cure-alls and won’t solve humanity’s ills without wisdom, insight, and skill to guide the experience.”

Still, some see facilitation as a lucrative, loosely-regulated field, alarming experts focused on medicine and ethics, not profits.

“Some see this as an unregulated way to make money, but we must put ethics first. Breaking rules could cost a license.” Licensed professionals have “skin in the game” and authority to address psychological issues—vital for safety with psychedelics.

Grob sees promise in physicians, psychologists and masters/doctoral students in fields relating to mental health, counseling and social work. Their training suits the responsibility of guiding psychedelic experiences and addressing vulnerabilities or psychological issues. While interest grows in psychedelics as paths for healing and insight, responsible, licensed professionals are best equipped to do so in a safe, ethical way.

Adverse effects and the importance of screening

While promising, psychedelics also carry risks, especially for vulnerable groups, that call for close screening and monitoring. As the case of the 74-year-old man who died after taking mushrooms demonstrates, their effects in those with heart conditions, mental health issues or on medications are not fully understood.

Psychological risks also exist, like re-traumatization for those with PTSD, or panic and anxiety:

“Something during a session triggered old trauma in a patient with PTSD, worsening symptoms. Another felt panic for weeks from repressed memories unearthed during her first session.”

These cases show the need to screen for vulnerabilities and have trained professionals guide sessions and follow-up care.

While decriminalization may increase interest, psychedelics are not for everyone:

“These aren’t ‘party drugs’ but powerful tools requiring oversight. Not all benefit, and some could suffer adverse effects without proper screening or guidance.”

With the spread of misinformation online, professional advice is critical.

Access and inclusion raise ethical issues of their own:

“While interest grows, we must balance openness with safety. Wider access needs oversight so these tools heal, not harm. We cannot repeat mistakes of the past, dismissing risks or allowing vulnerable groups to access them irresponsibly.”

Protecting public health requires gatekeepers attuned to both benefits and dangers of these substances.

Transcript

Dr. Richard Miller 0:00

Welcome to Mind Body Health and Politics. I'm your host, Dr. Richard Louis Miller. Our mission is to enhance your physical and emotional well-being and encourage community. And when we associate with each other in small enough groups where we know everybody by name or at least by face, we love to do things together, sew, watch bowl games, eat, play, and have fun. We are friendly, collaborative tribal animals. At the same time, we must stay aware that there is a small percentage of us who are avaricious predators. They have been with us from the beginning and are part of who we are. It's our task now to maintain our democracy, which is fragile and not a given. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, as Thomas Jefferson said.

Today on Mind Body Health and Politics, I have the privilege of interviewing Dr. Charlie Grob, a psychiatrist and scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles who is one of the founding fathers of the psychedelic renaissance. His work has been seminal, and I invite you to research him on Google and listen to other interviews. I interviewed Charlie back in 2005 after his groundbreaking research was published in 2010. We discussed this at the MAPS conference in Denver, Colorado, this June. It's good to see you again, Charlie. We'll see each other soon.

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As a clinical psychologist for over 50 years, I’ve heard and witnessed many stories of transformation. Few are as remarkable as that of Hunt Priest, an Episcopal priest I interviewed for my series on psychedelic-assisted therapy for end of life distress.

“My mother’s maiden name was Bishop,” Priest told me with a wry smile.

Between that and his last name, it seems God may have been trying to tell him something about his vocation.

However, Priest found his priestly calling relatively late, entering seminary in his late 30s. It was not until his 50s that he experienced a radical transformation of mind, body, and spirit through psychedelics.

In 2016, at age 52, Priest volunteered for a Johns Hopkins study exploring the effects of psilocybin on religious professionals.

“I was psychedelically naive,” he admitted, noting that he had been scared of LSD as a youth. “The 60s passed me by.”

Lying on a couch, staring at an egg-shell colored ceiling, Priest felt first discomfort, then a familiar “electrical current” in his thigh—recalling a feeling he had experienced during an intense, 5-day meditation retreat the year before. His guides in the study had laid hands on him, invoking a flood of electricity that seared through his body.

“There was a blockage, a backlog of stuck energy in my throat, like a bottleneck in the system,” he said.

The electrification intensified when they put their hands on his head and feet. Then the current broke through a blockage in his throat.

“When it broke open, I started speaking in tongues. The sounds just poured out of me.”

Speaking in tongues, Priest notes, is “A very Christian, Pentecostal experience,” but unusual in his own Episcopal Church.

He felt bathed in love and connection. In that liminal space, Priest glimpsed the nature of healing and energy transference activated in the ritual of prayer.

“So much of what I’d learned in seminary and talked about as a priest, I knew was real,” he said. “What happens when we pray with people and lay hands on them - that transfer of energy - it’s real.”

For Priest, the experience affirmed his faith in the endless mystery of the divine. At the same time, it shattered previous notions about who God is.

He emerged with eyes opened to the greater cosmos within - and all around us - murmuring the one truth his heart had always known: “Everything is okay. Everything is as it should be.”

I was struck by how this unassuming priest found solace in the spaces between church doctrine and radical openness that many never dare explore. His story highlights our shared longing for transcendence and healing in a crisis of modern spirituality.

More than that, it highlights our human need for guides on the path—someone walking ahead, lighting the way through darkness. For Hunt Priest, that light led to places far beyond what he ever imagined.

Read on our listen to hear the full story.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

Show notes:

• How Hunt came to discover psychedelics. 9:59

• Hunt participated in a research project with religious professionals, and was required to be "psychedelically naive".

• He received a capsule of psilocybin as part of the study and had a religious experience.

• The power of psychedelics. 11:53

• Hunt describes his experience as "very religious" and "very embodied".

• He had an experience of electrical current in his left thigh during a meditation retreat that was connected to his psilocybin experience.

• The importance of good healthy religion. 15:23

• Hunt believes that good healthy religion is about "story, myth, ritual, community".

• He emphasizes the importance of spiritual exploration.

• The importance of inclusion and cooperation among religions. 26:35

• Hunt believes that the church can be a resource for people.

• He emphasizes the importance of inclusion and cooperation among different world religions.

• The role of psychedelics in end-of-life care. 45:21

• Hunt discusses his vision for the use of psilocybin in end-of-life care.

• He believes that hospice is not a peaceful, holy death.

• Questioning pre-modern understanding of the cosmos. 38:50

• Hunt questions pre-modern understanding of the cosmos.

• He believes that the fear of dying is foundational and that the church is to be blamed for it.

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Ligare

The podcast and articles are always freely available thanks to our paid subscribers. Please share this post to show your support for transparency. The following article distills the key points from this show into a condensed form.

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my broadcast, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The Radical Calling of Hunt Priest

Hunt Priest never imagined that he would embark on a radical new calling in his mid-50s.

"I would never have thought I'd be doing what I'm doing right now, even 10 years ago," he said.

Quitting a stable job as rector of a parish church, he founded Ligare, a Christian psychedelic society, to share the lessons of his own transformation.

"That's a privileged place to be, to be able to quit one career and start another," Priest acknowledged, citing the Franciscan Friar, Fr. Richard Rohr as part of his inspiration for taking up a new career in life’s “second act.”

Priest’s journey highlights our human capacity for change. Through psychedelics, Priest discovered that we can awaken to new realities about ourselves and our world at any point. His mission is helping others do the same.

Ligare aims to educate Christians and the public about the potential of psychedelics for healing and spiritual growth, fighting for their safe and legal use "for anyone who needs it."

Of relevance to my work, Priest sees psychedelics as a means for Christians to overcome their fear of death and embrace the "peaceful, holy death" promised by faith.

"The church is about healing - if not, we should shut our doors," Priest said.

Yet for centuries, the church has often failed to help followers die without fear – even instilling it them through an unbiblical view of Hell as eternal conscious torment.

“Why would God create something that God then submits to eternal torture? Why would you follow a God who is going to cast most of you into the fiery pit? It makes no sense.”

– Hunt Priest

According to Priest, psychedelic experiences allow a glimpse into realms beyond the physical, affirming the Christian idea that death has no dominion. He hopes to guide others to radical acceptance and release fear's grip. For Christians wary of psychedelics, Ligare provides a familiar framework and language for encounters with the numinous.

Priest stands by the traditions and teachings of the Episcopal Church – a branch of the Church of England, which founded in protest to the abuses of the Roman Catholic Church. While religious institutions of all stripes continue to be plagued by scandal and corruption, Priest is not ready to throw in the towel when it comes to religion.

"Not religious is not an option," Priest said. "Good, healthy religion is story, myth, ritual, community."

By rooting psychedelic practice in Christian tradition, Ligare allows the faithful to explore the furthest reaches of human consciousness without leaving their faith behind.

The word “Ligare” is latin for “to connect”, and makes up the second half of the word “religion.” Priest believes the crisis of modern spirit calls for reconnecting with the sacred in new ways. Yet change often comes from within, through guides who walk ahead while lighting the path. For Christians, Priest aims to be one of those guides - translating between doctrine and the radical openness psychedelics revealed to him. His calling is helping others behold the greater cosmos in which we live and move and have our being.

Psychedelic Revelation of Spiritual Truths

For Priest, psychedelics revealed spiritual truths already familiar to him as a priest, though never grasped so viscerally. Among them were the centrality of forgiveness, gratitude and community.

Forgiveness, taught Priest, is Christianity's moral bedrock. He pointed to Jesus on the cross, forgiving those who condemned him to a brutal death.

"That's our goal - to be people who, when terrible things happen, can forgive," he said.

Forgiveness of self proves equally elusive and imperative. Through psychedelics, Priest found grace to release regret and self-judgment accumulated over years.

Gratitude emerged for Priest as a spiritual discipline with power to transform our view of the world.

A practice of greeting each day with thanks, despite its sorrows, opens our eyes to the wonder of existence as a gift. For Christians, gratitude expresses faith in new life even in the face of death.

“Gratitude means waking up every morning and feeling thankful for being alive. If we could all do this, it would change how we see each other and ourselves in the world,” he observed.

Community, Priest said, makes experiences of God and growth possible by providing a "container" for transformation. Psychedelics foster connection and empathy, dissolving divisions. For Christians, shared ritual and story shape a sense of the sacred. Ligare aims to build community as an "access point" for psychedelic practice grounded in faith.

Priest's mission is sharing a vision of healing and wholeness through radical openness to God's presence - one that conquers even humanity's oldest fear. The story of Christ's passion, death and resurrection highlights psychedelic themes of surrender, loss of ego and rebirth into new life.

"The church has done a lot of good and a lot of terrible things," Priest admitted.

Yet at their heart, Christianity and psychedelic practice converge on a truth that "everything's okay, everything's as it should be." Forgiveness, gratitude and community unite to make real the promise of resurrection, leaving fear behind in the empty tomb.

Through psychedelics, Priest rediscovered the faith he already knew. His calling is helping others do the same, that they might behold at last what he has seen - and be not afraid.

A New Model for Transformation

Priest's calling is extraordinary, yet his mission is simple: sharing the hope of healing and spiritual renewal through radical openness to God. While psychedelics catalyzed Priest's vision, it is one he believes should resonate even with Christians wary of "drugs."

Priest doesn't envision psychedelics as a Sunday morning sacrament. Instead, he looks to retreats where Christians can encounter the divine, then integrate lessons into daily life.

"Education is our primary mission," Priest said, "providing resources for clergy, chaplains, spiritual directors and the public to participate legally and safely."

Through five-day retreats incorporating Bible study, prayer, meditation and Eucharist, Priest envisions a new model for transformation.

"Education is our primary mission," Priest said, "providing resources for clergy, chaplains, spiritual directors and the public to participate legally and safely."

"On day three, there might be a facilitated psilocybin experience," he said. "Psilocybin is not as controversial and only lasts six hours, so it doesn't take up the whole day [unlike LSD]."

The final days would be for reflecting on insights gained about oneself, God and others - and discerning how to live shaped by that vision.

"After any big mountaintop experience, you try to figure out how to live your life knowing what you've experienced," Priest said.

The Old Testament depicts revelatory encounters with God on mountain summits, followed by a return to daily life. So participants in Priest's retreats come down from psilocybin's heights and back to the world, equipped with lessons for the journey.

Priest aspires to offer psychedelic communion for any who seek it.

"This is not about profit, ownership or control," he said. "It's about bringing healing to anyone who wants it."

Through education and leading by example, Priest hopes to inspire more Christians to walk this path of risk and revelation.

In the end, Priest's life highlights the shared human longing for meaning, healing and transcendence of fear - and our ability to find solace, if we only they have eyes to see.

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Dear listeners,

For decades, psychedelics were taboo—demonized and pushed into the shadows by misguided policies. Though I began hosting radio programs on psychedelic science as early as 2005, at the time I felt largely alone in my advocacy.

Just before one of my shows, as my guest—medical anthropologist Marcia Rosenbaum—and I prepared to discuss harm reduction on-air, my producer looked up at me and said that the White House was on the line.

The White House? What could they want?

It turned out the Drug Czar himself wanted to argue against our stance. It was too late to include him as a panelist on the show, but he called in nonetheless. His interruption illustrated how desperately the government has clung to control of the narrative, monitoring even small forums, like my local public radio broadcast, for dissent.

Almost 20 years later, their grip is slipping. Prominent voices are coming out of the "psychedelic closet," recognizing these substances as tools for expanding human potential rather than threats.

The Global Psychedelic Society (GPS), a decentralized network connecting the leaders of Psychedelic Societies around the world to educate the public on benefits and risks of psychedelic medicines, promoting responsible use over fearmongering. I recently interviewed the Society’s founder, Mike Margolies, and Director, Jessica ‘Jaz’ Cadoch about the important work.

I’m excited to be partnering with the GPS, to bring visibility and resources to local psychedelic communities worldwide. I will be raising awareness about the fundraising efforts to provide training for community catalysts in this emerging space, and they will be connecting me with the dozens (if not hundreds) of global psychedelic societies across the globe as part of my comprehensive effort to document the potential adverse effects of psychedelic medicines. In my view, this is how we win the war—through community, transparency, and ultimately, cultural change.

Together we'll help people find the support I lacked when starting out. If you are likewise looking to “find the others,” please consider making a donation of the GPS Fund.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

Show notes:

• Intro to Mind Body Health and Politics. (0:00)

• Psychiatrists vs. Psychedelic Communities. (4:59)

• How did Mike and Jaz get into psychedelic community activism? (11:00)

• The problem with charging money for education. (20:26)

• Dealing with burnout in the psychedelic space. (24:43)

• The seven laws of money. (30:29)

• Questions about the business model of the Psychedelic Association. (34:47)

• Book on psychedelics and the adverse effects. (42:24)

• Why are psychedelics banned in other countries? (46:16)

• Jaz’s offer of help. (53:34)

• How to get involved in politics (58:31)

• Anyone can grow mushrooms in their house. (1:06:45)

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• The Global Psychedelic Society

• GPS Fund

• Psychedelic Seminars

The podcast and abbreviated notes are always freely available thanks to our paid subscribers. Please share this post to show your support for transparency.

The following article distills the key points from this show into a condensed form. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to access these full articles weekly, and support our broadcast.

A Global Shift: Regulation, Decriminalization and Cultural Change

The soul of the psychedelic societies movement is a belief in our right to change our consciousness—freely and safely. Though once taboo, psychedelics are now transforming medicine and culture. Some countries are even decriminalizing personal use while regulating medical access.

I saw glimmers of this openness firsthand on a trip to Israel many years ago with MAPS founder Rick Doblin. There, we met with top scientists and public figures, including Supreme Court members, who were interested in the potential to use MDMA for PTSD in their traumatized soldiers. Despite their keen interest, they feared retaliation from the United States if they didn't comply with our global War on Drugs. Racist policies from decades past still wield control, limiting access to healing.

Yet the pillars of science, medicine, and society are aligning. By coming out of hiding and raising our voices, we make truth and justice inevitable.

While psychedelics hold promise to heal individuals and society, some fear the movement's soul risks being lost to commercialization and controversy.

As Mike Margolies, co-founder of the Global Psychedelic Society, told me recently, "If I think about the psychedelic future that I want to see, what's the first touch point someone should have? I think it's in community."

Margolies is a psychedelic community catalyst and conversation creator, who has worked full-time in psychedelic education and community building since 2015, when he founded Psychedelic Seminars, an events and media platform for nuanced, open and honest conversations. On the PsychSems stage, he has interviewed and featured a range of leaders including Michael Pollan, Johns Hopkins researchers, advocates at MAPS, and more. Behind the scenes, Mike has started, led, and mentored several psychedelic community organizations and professional networks.

With knowledge and community, we can ensure psychedelic experiences are available to all who seek them for growth and healing.

Yet many psychedelic community builders remain under-resourced, struggling as martyrs to sustain their work.

Community Matters—But Requires Support

Jaz Cadoch is a cultural and medical anthropologist who has been studying the psychedelic movement since 2016, and is now directing the Global Psychedelic Society. She sees psychedelic societies as the "third prong" in shifting the narrative, complementing politics and medicine.

With a particular interest in the intermingling of conventional healing models and psychedelic-assisted therapy, Jaz is concerned with ensuring that psychedelic practices are carefully and ethically integrated into modern Western society and culture. She is also the co-founder of ALKEMI, a consulting firm for psychedelic ethics & accountability and contributed to the process of Colorado’s Proposition 122 - the Natural Medicine Health Act.

"Without legislation,” Jaz notes, “we can't start changing the narrative. Without clinical trials, people who are not psychedelically aware won't see the value of psychedelics.”

Likewise, culture shapes perceptions of legitimacy and safety.

Cadoch continues, "The way I see it is we have politics and medical research at the top level, changing the narrative from the top down, telling the people that these are safe. Then we have the cultural landscape, which to me is psychedelic societies, on the ground — the grassroots, catching everybody as they take their first psychedelic."

These societies offer community and education, filling a void left by prohibition and stigma.

These three pillars can overcome past propaganda by re-educating the public through sharing truths long obscured.

The diversity of these societies inspires. The underground mycelia are sprouting into visible, vibrant blooms. By nurturing networks both global and local, we can help others find their roots in sacred soil. But for this garden to thrive sustainably, its cultivators require resources and care.

Margolies urges, "If we really care about this community-building work and the importance of cultural shift, this work should be properly resourced."

Changing the culture, however, requires investment. As the psychedelic movement matures, more specialized roles are emerging—and experts in each must be paid for their service. Though once a niche realm of volunteers, community organizing now demands strategic thinking to empower rather than burn out its pioneers.

I learned this lesson firsthand, starting one of the first holistic addiction programs in the 1980s—Cokenders Alcohol & Drug Program. As both chief clinician and administrator, I was spread too thin. Administration alone was a full-time job; doing both risked compromising care. After 10 years, I realized true sustainability meant delegating to those with the proper expertise.

Funding the Renaissance

Today's psychedelic society organizers face similar challenges, wearing "multiple hats" out of necessity in an emerging field. Yet psychedelics are now “a growing ecosystem—and industry," as Cadoch notes.

While grassroots knowledge is one form of authority, professional qualifications still shape perceptions of legitimacy for many. As money and mainstream interest flow in, there is a risk of "business as usual" crowding out community focus if we're not careful about who does what.

As Margolies explains, "People are not primarily coming into this from the perspective of 'I want to start a business holding events about psychedelics,' but they're coming because there's a mission of education, culture shift, and community building."

The key is balancing this mission with viability. Seminars and events are not as profitable as pharmaceutical drug development. Smaller events may better serve community, yet require scale for success.

Charging attendees is one means of finding this balance, yet also risks compromising access or violating an ethos of open education.

"It's not only about education, but also cultural building," Cadoch says. "How do you charge people to build culture?"

The answer, it seems, lies in designated funds and partnerships.

Margolies urges, "We're doing a big educational and fundraising campaign to build awareness around the world that this is important work. It's more important than what a community builder can get just through revenue from ticket sales."

By donating to groups like the Global Psychedelic Society, which then distribute resources to local organizers, people can directly support the cultural shift they value.

Legalization vs. Decriminalization: Which Way Forward?

The path forward is complex, with decriminalization and legal regulation each holding promise and pitfalls.

Decriminalization means ending penalties for personal use and possession, while legalization creates regulated markets and access. The former protects communal use and grassroots operations, but risks diverting funds from public health measures. The latter can exclude those unable or unwilling to follow bureaucratic rules, perpetuating inequality.

As Mike Margolies explains, "I'm totally in support of having access through medical or regulated means. But for me, what's really important is that those don't become the exclusive pathways for access."

A "hybrid model" incorporating both may overcome these issues.

"Creating an environment where even regular individuals who don't understand psychedelics can feel safe is expanding access,” Cadoch says, “Expanding access to psychedelics isn't just about financial access, but also cultural access."

Margolies adds: "Through community building work, we can make decriminalized and unregulated models safe. There are many things to consider, but it can be done."

Regulation builds trust for the mainstream, while decriminalization protects traditional and informal practices.

However, legalization risks creating a "two-tiered model" with regulators targeting unlicensed operators.

"If you create a legal regulated model or medical model without also decriminalizing, you can end up in a scenario where there's regulated access, but people who are doing community healing ceremonies in a different way than the FDA's model could still be criminalized," Margolies warns.

I have seen a similar tension in conversations with sex workers advocating decriminalization over legalization. Regulations should aim to protect public health, not eliminate grassroots operations through "backdoor criminalization” that new laws often contain.

Support this Mission

Together, the pillars of science, medicine, and community will lift prohibition's crushing weight. But community requires nurture to stand strong—an ecosystem where each role is valued and each voice empowered to speak its truth. Only by investing in the wellbeing of organizers themselves can we cultivate a future of safe, legal and responsible access for all.

As this movement grows, it's crucial we discuss not only the promise but also the risks of psychedelics openly and honestly. I plan to address reports of adverse effects in an upcoming series, connecting with communities globally to explore how set, setting and even culture can impact experiences for better and for wore. We must build understanding of these powerful tools responsibly and avoid hype that glosses over potential dangers.

The interviews from this series will go into a forthcoming book on the topic—perhaps the first book its kind.

Please contact me if you would like to be interviewed.

I am honored to partner with the Global Psychedelic Society. Together, we will connect with local networks worldwide and share knowledge that has been hidden for far too long.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Show Notes:

• Dr. George Greer talks about the most interesting and important thing happening in the psychedelic world right now: the Bipartisan Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies (PATH) Caucus. This caucus aims to pass legislation for a carve-out from the NIH budget to support psychedelic research. (03:46)

• Dr. Greer shares his pioneering research on MDMA-assisted couples therapy, which yielded insights and strengthened relationships with minimal side-effects. (07:00)

• Dr. Greer emphasizes the importance of mindset, setting, and therapy in achieving positive outcomes from psychedelic experiences. (12:30)

• Dr. Greer explains the difference between psychedelic and psycholytic therapy. (12:30)

• Dr. Greer talks about the risks and benefits of using psychedelics as a catalyst for growth and healing. (12:30)

• Dr. Greer stresses the importance of responsible use of psychedelics, including screening, preparation, and integration, to minimize harm and maximize benefit. (12:30)

• Dr. Greer talks about the potential unwanted psychological complications of psychedelic therapy, including psychosis and trauma. (12:30)

• Dr. Greer discusses the challenges of funding psychedelic research and the need for responsible guidance to realize the promise of this field. (12:30)

Links and Resources

• Heffter Research Institute

• Bipartisan Congressional Psychedelics Advancing Therapies Caucus

• MDMA Studies for PTSD Treatment (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)

• Apollo Pact

• NYU Psilocybin Cancer Anxiety Study

Johns Hopkins Psilocybin Research:

• Mount Sinai Medicine PTSD Research

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Dear listeners,

Why is that conversations about the most important issues are always the hardest to have? Why do we struggle to have meaningful heart-to-hearts with our loved ones about life and death, pleasure and pain, sexuality and psychedelic medicines?

In my own life, I’ve tried to be as open about these topics as possible, but I’ve often encountered resistance – both internal and external. Every once in a while, however, I find someone who is so open and honest in their manner of speaking that even I am caught off guard as I’m drawn into new depths of awareness about myself and my relationships with other people. This week’s episode features that kind of conversation.

Leslie Grace, RN, is a transformational coach and psychedelic integration guide who works with leaders, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to unlock their life force so they can become powerful, inspired agents of change. Her work incorporates psychedelic healing, Hakomi somatic therapy, and conscious sexuality practices and is informed by her background in Vajrayana Tibetan Buddhism. Leslie gratefully escaped her Catholic upbringing and former career as a Registered Nurse in end-of-life care to be drawn into the world of plant medicine and has never looked back. With 15 years of intentional psychedelic exploration, her primary authority is her own intuition. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and offers both private and group transformational containers. Expand your possibilities by getting in touch at timelesswisdom@protonmail.com.

Our interview covers a range of fascinating topics, from hospice work and end-of-life transitions to tantric education and psychedelic sexuality.

Grace shares her personal experiences and insights on approaching death with open arms, the power of sexual energy, and the journey to sexual empowerment. She also teaches us about a practice called the “Five Minute Game,” which you will want to try with your partner as a way of unlocking new levels of sexual pleasure.

Don’t miss this episode, and join our tribe of premium subscribers if you would prefer to read the transcript.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

The podcast and abbreviated notes are always freely available thanks to our paid subscribers. Please share this post to show your support for transparency.

Links and references:

• Connect with Leslie Grace: Facebook / Instagram / Email

• Hakomi Institute

• SAGE Institute

• Integral Psychedelic Therapy: The Non-Ordinary Art of Psychospiritual Healing

Summary

Introduction Democracy and Republic

00:00:00 - The importance of maintaining awareness and the right to vote for the preservation of democracy and republic.

Hospice Work

00:03:35 - Introduction of Leslie Grace and her multiple roles, including being a nurse and hospice worker, and in helping people transition.

00:10:28 - Leslie's experience with a patient who wanted a shaman from an ayahuasca circle to come and help him transition.

00:11:42 - The importance of making peace with family and loved ones and approaching death with open arms.

00:12:46 - Leslie's experience with a patient who had a peaceful and elegant transition.

00:14:23 - The use of morphine to help patients relax into the experience.

Tantric Education

00:15:57 - Leslie's personal story of her quarter life crisis and her journey to becoming a tantric educator.

Hands-On Teaching of Sexuality

00:31:27 - Leslie Grace describes hands-on teaching of sexuality and her experience with tantric massage.

Repression of Sexuality

00:41:04 - Leslie Grace talks about the repression of sexuality by religion, specifically Catholicism, and her personal journey to unravel her relationship with the church and allow herself to be more expressed.

00:42:34 - Dr. Miller discusses his theory on penetration and dominance in sexual intercourse; Leslie Grace responds and discusses conscious sexuality.

Adverse Effects and Safety

00:50:44 - Discussion on psychedelic medicine and Leslie Grace's work as a psychedelic guide; Dr. Miller asks about adverse effects and checklists for vetting clients.

01:01:51 - Discussion on different types of psychedelic therapeutic experiences and which medicines are being used predominantly.

Seeking Psychedelic Testimonials: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

We are currently looking for first-hand accounts of adverse effects of psychedelics—from ‘bad trips,’ to unwanted physiological complications, to abusive practices by guides, therapists, and shamans.

The interviews from this series will go into a forthcoming book on the topic—perhaps the first book its kind.

Please contact me if you would like to be interviewed.

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Transcript

Within the below transcript, the bolded text is Dr. Richard L. Miller, and the regular text is Leslie Grace. Edited transcript provided by Vergili.us – the podcast → prose publishers.

King of the Hill

Welcome to Mind Body, Health and Politics. I'm your host, Dr. Richard Louis Miller. Our mission at Mind Body, Health and Politics is to enhance your physical and emotional well-being, and to encourage community. I believe that encouraging community is essential for our health and well-being, as human beings are essentially friendly and tribal animals. When we hang out together in small enough groups, where we know everyone by name or at least by face, we collaborate, cooperate and accomplish wonderful things together. Whether it's sewing circles, watching games, playing games, bicycle riding or eating, we love doing these things together in groups. It's very tribal. More recently, we have also enjoyed doing psychedelic medicines together, such as Ayahuasca circles. However, while we recognize how friendly and tribal our species is, we must also acknowledge that there is a small percentage of us who are markedly different.

These are the people who, in the caves, played "king of the hill," and eventually became the heads of tribes, countries, and even dictators. They prefer to have us as subjects rather than citizens. Throughout history, we see examples of this, such as the Pharaohs who kept most of their people in slavery, while the top 1% enjoyed their wealth. Caesar changed the Roman Republic into an empire and was the dictator. Napoleon, Putin, and even Donald Trump, if he were to be re-elected, are all examples of these types of people. It is crucial that we maintain our awareness and right to vote, especially during these hard times when 70% of the United States is living paycheck to paycheck. We cannot let our country lose its democracy and republic, where one person has one vote and no one is above the law. Thomas Jefferson once said, "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

Hospice Work

On this episode of Mind, Body, Health and Politics, I am happy to have Leslie Grace as our guest. Leslie has worn many hats throughout her career, such as being a nurse, hospice worker, and working in psychedelic healing with somatic therapy, Tantra, and conscious sexuality. She has also worked with Hakomi, which she will tell us more about today. Welcome to Mind Body, Health and Politics, Leslie.

Thank you so much, Richard. It's a real delight to be here, and so curious which way our conversation will end up going.

Well, you have accomplished so many things. I hardly know where to begin, but let's start by going back to when you worked as a nurse and hospice worker. Please share some of your experiences with people going through end-of-life transitions. Tell us about their emotional state and what you learned about them.

Yeah, this was a really important time in my life. I think that working with death or being close to death and really appreciating that process and all its different facets really deepens us and changes us as human beings. It was a really meaningful time in my life. I knew I wanted to become a nurse to help people, to heal and make them feel more whole. I ended up in intensive care because it was the most critical care, and I became fascinated by what we could do with modern medicine. At the same time, it was heartbreaking to see people in such challenging states being kept alive on machinery, many of whom didn't have much of a prognosis to survive.

As nurses, we would talk to the doctors about the patients' chances, and oftentimes they would keep people going because they weren't sure how to have the conversation with the family that the patient didn't have much chance of having a good quality of life or bouncing back. I felt like it was good work and I was serving people, but my heart was a little broken over how long we would keep people in there only to have them eventually pass away. We did see people make it and go on to be healthy. After working in that area for a little while, I decided to move into hospice work.

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Dear listeners,

Did you know that an estimated one billion people around the world suffer from some form of mental health issue? Who among us believes that our current system for treating such widespread anxiety and depression is adequate?

Whenever I openly discuss psychedelic medicines with my guests on this broadcast, I am taking a risk. However, I believe it is important to shed as much light on this topic as possible, rather than keeping people in the dark about their healing potential—or the potential harms when taken by the wrong people or in the wrong ways.

My guest this week, Neil Gehani, contacted the show after reading our newsletter announcement seeking people who had profound psychedelic healing experiences. We must include the usual disclaimer that we do not endorse any illegal experimentation. Instead, we aim to become a node in a broader network that shares information so that the public can make informed decisions.

"If you are always craving and always avoiding, you will never be able to enjoy and be present in the moment." -

Neil is a first-generation Indian immigrant who came to the United States at the age of 16. He grew up in India, where he attended a military boarding school beginning at the age of 4 and a half. He earned his engineering and MBA degrees in Ohio, and soon after moved to California to work in the technology sector. Over the past 15 years, he has been a software engineer and product management leader, holding three Head of Product positions and founding two companies.

In recent years, he has focused on mental health due to his own personal journey and the numerous challenges he faced while seeking help. He is now building MindLumen (mindlumen.xyz), which aims to democratize safe access to ethical care. Psychedelic-assisted therapy changed his life, and he wants to use his skills and experience to help others navigate the complex process safely. Neil has moderated panels, spoken publicly, and is involved in policy work to decriminalize psychedelics everywhere.

Neil invites our listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn.

We too invite our listeners to connect with us by email or social media, to assist in our ongoing efforts to enlighten the public – including information on the adverse effects of psychedelics. That is the subject of our forthcoming series, and will be the topic of my next book.

Please, don’t be a stranger. Reply to this email if you have a story to share, or know someone who may be interested in participating in this series of interviews.

Golden light,

Dr. Richard L. Miller

The podcast and abbreviated notes are always freely available thanks to our paid subscribers. Please share this post to show your support for transparency.

Show notes:

• How Neil’s first psychedelic experience with MDA in 2017 transformed his way of thinking and relating to other people.

• Neil’s journeys with high doses of various substances, including MDMA, Psilocybin and LSD.

• What inspired Neil to create the MindLumen platform, and the mission of helping others navigate a complex process.

• to help people suffering from mental health issues and anxiety to experience the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.

• Why living in the present moment is key to enjoying life.

Links and references:

• linkedin.com/in/gehanineil

• twitter: @mindlumen

• Mindlumen

Seeking Psychedelic Testimonials: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

We are currently looking for first-hand accounts of adverse effects of psychedelics—from ‘bad trips,’ to unwanted physiological complications, to abusive practices by guides, therapists, and shamans.

The interviews from this series will go into a forthcoming book on the topic—perhaps the first book its kind.

Please contact me if you would like to be interviewed.

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Transcript

Dr. Richard L. Miller (00:15): Today, we are honored to have Neil Gehani with us. He contacted us after reading our newsletter, where we were looking for people who have had psychedelic experiences that have made profound changes in their lives. Welcome to Mind Body, Health and Politics, Neil.

Neil Gehani (03:10): Thank you. Thank you, Richard, for having me here.

Dr. Richard L. Miller (03:13): Neil, you came over to this country from India when you were, what, four and a half years old?

Neil Gehani (03:22): Well, I was actually in India. I was sent to India at a military boarding school. At four and a half I was handed off to a flight attendant and they took care of me and dropped me off to my uncles in Mumbai. And then he dropped me off in a train and I was picked up by somebody, some strangers in Puna, and that's where I went to school. So I didn't see my family for nine months out of a year from the time I was four and a half till the time I graduated high school. I came to this country after that when I was 16 years old, and I didn't know a soul in this country, and I ended up in the Midwest to go get my education.

Dr. Richard L. Miller (03:57): So your parents sounds like they were very influenced by the English educational system where the upper classes sent their children to boarding schools when they were four and a half or five years old.

Neil Gehani (04:15): The notion of a boarding school is often associated with wealthy families in America, but this was not the case for me. It was simply a school where someone could take care of me, and I didn't go home every weekend. It was the cheapest option for my parents, who did not have college degrees and worked as a technician in a telephone company and a flight attendant. My mom worked her entire life in the airlines to get a 90% discount for us, even though she hated the job. She decided to work there until all of us finished school so she could fly us back and forth every four and a half months.

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Are you curious about the potential benefits and risks of using psychedelics in therapy, creativity, and personal development? Dennis McKenna, a renowned ethnopharmacologist and expert in psychedelic medicine, returns to our podcast to explore this fascinating and complex topic.

Psychedelics have been used for centuries in traditional healing practices around the world, but their modern resurgence has brought both excitement and concern. Research suggests that they may hold promise for treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as for enhancing creativity and spiritual experiences. However, their use also carries risks, and much remains unknown about their long-term effects and optimal dosing and administration.

In this episode, Dennis McKenna draws on his extensive experience and knowledge to provide a nuanced and informative discussion on the therapeutic and creative potential of psychedelics. Whether you are a seasoned user or a curious skeptic, this episode will expand your understanding and appreciation of the power of psychedelic medicines.

“And there is no such thing as a bad trip.”

Dennis McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 45 years. His research has been focused on the interdisciplinary study of Amazonian ethnopharmacology, primarily in the Peruvian Amazon. His doctoral research (University of British Columbia,1984) investigated the comparative ethnopharmacology of ayahuasca and oo-koo-he, two tryptamine-based hallucinogens used by indigenous peoples in the Northwest Amazon.

He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. He was part of the original Scientific Strategy Team at Shaman Pharmaceuticals in the early 90s. He is the younger brother of Terence McKenna. From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. In the spring of 2019, in collaboration with colleagues in Canada and the US, he incorporated a new non-profit, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy. In collaboration with colleagues he organio landmark conferences in 2017 and 2022, the Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs (see ESPD50.com and ESPD55.com) He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford B.C.

Show notes:

• Protecting our democracy

• Psychedelics are catalysts for challenging our assumptions

• Integration is a crucial part to healing

• Are people dying from psychedelics?

• How entheogens were discovered

• Albert Hoffman discovering LSD

• Is microdosing effective or a placebo?

• Experimenting with psychedelics

• The risk in taking these medicines

• Could psychedelics give us an internal focus of the mind?

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• The Secret Chief Revealed

• Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss

• ESPD55.com

Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Get ready to go on a wild ride with Denise Kaufman, a social justice activist, musician, and yoga teacher, as she takes us back to the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s. From her involvement in the free speech movement at UC Berkeley to her time with the notorious Merry Pranksters, Kaufman shares personal stories that will leave you spellbound. But that's not all! Kaufman also reveals the secret to a healthy spine and shares simple exercises that can alleviate back pain. This episode of "Mind Body, Health and Politics" is not one to be missed. Tune in for a captivating conversation about movement, social activism, and leading by example.

"I was having deep experiences of connecting to a oneness that was so much deeper and more potent than anything I had ever experienced before."

Denise Kaufman: a true renaissance woman and an original member of the Bay Area psychedelic rock scene in the '60s. Born in San Francisco in 1946, Denise has had an adventurous and exploratory approach to life, dedicating herself to social justice causes and counterculture experiences from a young age. Her journey includes being arrested during the Free Speech Movement, touring with Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, and founding San Francisco's OG all-girl band, the Ace of Cups, who opened for musical icons like Jimi Hendrix, The Band, and Janis Joplin.

Denise's commitment to community and spirituality also extends to her work as a trained yoga teacher, whose students have included Madonna, Sting, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Quincy Jones, and Jane Fonda. Her teachings focus on slow, deep stretching practices that encourage mobility, fluidity, and an expansive, open spirit.

In recent years, the Ace of Cups reunited and released three new albums that have garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Billboard, and NPR All Things Considered, among others. Denise's passion for music, yoga, and organic farming has led her to divide her time between Venice Beach and Kauai, where her family runs a small organic farm. At 76 years old, Denise continues to learn, channel inspiration, and connect with those around her, embodying the free-spirited, community-oriented ethos of the counterculture movement she helped shape.

Show notes:

• The free speech movement, LSD, and the Merry Pranksters

• Life on the Merry Pranksters bus

• Kool-aid Acid Tests and their influence on the evolution of rock concerts

• Exploring consciousness without psychedelics

• Getting committed and playing music

• The all-girl rock band The Ace of Cups

• Denise’s little slice of heaven

• Making choices that do less harm to your body

• The importance of mobility and stretching

• Got back pain? Try yoga!

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• Walk the Walk USA

• On the Road

• Grace Beats Karma

• Squat Everywhere

Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!

Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Are you curious about the potential benefits and risks of using psychedelics in therapy, creativity, and personal development? Dennis McKenna, a renowned ethnopharmacologist and expert in psychedelic medicine, returns to our podcast to explore this fascinating and complex topic.

Psychedelics have been used for centuries in traditional healing practices around the world, but their modern resurgence has brought both excitement and concern. Research suggests that they may hold promise for treating a range of mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as for enhancing creativity and spiritual experiences. However, their use also carries risks, and much remains unknown about their long-term effects and optimal dosing and administration.

In this episode, Dennis McKenna draws on his extensive experience and knowledge to provide a nuanced and informative discussion on the therapeutic and creative potential of psychedelics. Whether you are a seasoned user or a curious skeptic, this episode will expand your understanding and appreciation of the power of psychedelic medicines.

“And there is no such thing as a bad trip.”

Dennis McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 45 years. His research has been focused on the interdisciplinary study of Amazonian ethnopharmacology, primarily in the Peruvian Amazon. His doctoral research (University of British Columbia,1984) investigated the comparative ethnopharmacology of ayahuasca and oo-koo-he, two tryptamine-based hallucinogens used by indigenous peoples in the Northwest Amazon.

He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. He was part of the original Scientific Strategy Team at Shaman Pharmaceuticals in the early 90s. He is the younger brother of Terence McKenna. From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. In the spring of 2019, in collaboration with colleagues in Canada and the US, he incorporated a new non-profit, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy. In collaboration with colleagues he organio landmark conferences in 2017 and 2022, the Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs (see ESPD50.com and ESPD55.com) He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford B.C.

Show notes:

• Protecting our democracy

• Psychedelics are catalysts for challenging our assumptions

• Integration is a crucial part to healing

• Are people dying from psychedelics?

• How entheogens were discovered

• Albert Hoffman discovering LSD

• Is microdosing effective or a placebo?

• Experimenting with psychedelics

• The risk in taking these medicines

• Could psychedelics give us an internal focus of the mind?

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• The Secret Chief Revealed

• Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss

• ESPD55.com

Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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"We need optimism, because sooner or later, we will realize that we are all in this together. It doesn't matter which country we're in, we share one planet."

Are you concerned about the future of our planet and the impact of climate change? In this episode we speak to Martin Wainstein, co-founder of Open Earth, about the challenges we face and how we can work together to create a sustainable future. From financial innovation to nature-based currency and the importance of collaboration, Wainstein shares his insights on the urgent need for systemic thinking and paradigm shifts in our approach to climate change. Join this thought-provoking conversation on the most pressing issues of our time and discover how you can make a difference. Let's work together to protect our planet for generations to come.

"We must think outside the box and reconsider so many things we take for granted in our human system."

Martin Wainstein is the founder and Executive Director of the Open Earth Foundation, a research and deployment non-profit focusing on digital innovations and open collaborations around planetary-scale projects such as developing a global climate accounting system—Open Climate. Martin held appointments at the Yale Center for Business and the Environment and the Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking at Yale, where he launched and led the Yale Open Innovation Lab. His PhD work focused on the transformation of the global energy business system.

Show notes:

• What does the Open Earth Foundation Do?

• Social Darwinists vs. the Humanists

• 50 things you can do to contribute towards the climate change solution

• Open Solar and Other Open-Source Programs of Open Earth

• Informing the Public Without Demoralizing Them

• Playing the Infinite Game – Collaborating for our survival

• The North/South Divide in Climate Change Discussions

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• Open Earth Foundation

• 50 Ways to Reduce Climate Change: A Different Kind of List

Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!

Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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We sit down with Thomas B. Roberts, a prominent professor in the field of Psychedelic Studies, to continue our series on the profound potential of psychedelics in end-of-life healing – including how they can ease our fears and anxieties surrounding death. Roberts discusses the four stages of the Psychedelic Renaissance and how he got into this field, despite the risk to his career before diving deep into death and dying research.Join us as we explore the place of psychedelics in end-of-life healing and discuss the current research being conducted in this field. Don't miss it!“I hope people will try to use organizations that exist to have sessions and [start] talking about psychedelics”Thomas B. Roberts, PhD, an accomplished scholar and educator in the field of educational psychology. Dr. Roberts is widely recognized as the originator of the celebration of Bicycle Day, an annual event commemorating the first intentional LSD trip taken by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1943.Starting in 1981, Roberts taught Psychedelic Studies, predominantly as a seminar in NIU’s Honors Program, making it the world’s first such course. He has also authored several influential publications, including "Psychedelic Sacramentals," "Psychedelic Horizons," "The Psychedelic Future of the Mind," and "MindApps: Multistate Theory and Tools for Mind Design."In addition to his academic pursuits, Thomas B. Roberts has served as the co-archivist of "Huxley to Huston Psychedelic Sacrament Quotations" and maintained a private psychedelic email list since 1994. He has delivered lectures and speeches on psychedelics and related topics in several countries worldwide. Listeners can find out more about Roberts' work and background on his Amazon author page, NIU academia page, and Inner Traditions author page.Show notes: The academic field that could have killed his academic career The four stages of the Psychedelic Renaissance Placebo ability and the power to consciously heal The place of psychedelics in end of life healing Comparing Near Death, Ego Death and Physical Death Experiences Does religion create a fear of death? How psychedelics can ease our end-of-life fears Why psilocybin over LSD? The current research being conducted on psychedelics and healingLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine The Symington Study Ligare Heffter Videos Harvard Divinity School Videos California Institute of Integral StudiesWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Our guest, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold, has an impressive background in psychotherapy and a deep commitment to helping people navigate end-of-life fears. Her extensive experience in this field has given her a unique perspective on the ways in which we can find meaning and healing in the process of dying. In her role as Director of Facilitation for Psychedelic Therapy Studies at UCSF, Gisele is at the forefront of exploring the potential of psychedelic medicine to alleviate anxiety and depression associated with chronic illness and death. Her work is leading the way in this emerging field, and she is passionate about sharing her insights with others.

Despite the fact that our culture tends to shy away from discussions about death, Gisele believes that these conversations are crucial for our well-being and growth. By embracing a more open and honest approach to this important topic, we can better understand the true meaning of life and find greater peace and acceptance in the face of mortality.

“The theme of death always brings me in touch with how we're living.”

Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold is a psychotherapist, the director of facilitation for psychedelic therapy studies at the University of California San Francisco, a faculty member at the California Institute of Integral Studies, a mentor at the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research and a clinical supervisor at the Alchemy Institute. Active in the mental health field for over 25 years, Gisele is specialized in the treatment of trauma, using an integrative approach rooted in Somatic, Humanistic-Existential and Transpersonal psychologies. Her vision for healing and wholeness is also informed by embodied spirituality, yoga, dance and traditions of her native Brazil. Being an immigrant to the United States and a woman of color, Gisele holds a deep dedication to diversity and inclusion processes and education.

Show notes:

• Living fully and mindfully

• The benefits of working with death at a young age

• Confronting Death: Awakening to Life's Meaning

• We are a death phobic culture, but what does that mean?

• Easing the transition of death and conversations had with those who are dying

• The role psychedelics can play in easing the fear and anxiety around death

• A new study involving psilocybin treatment with people with Parkinson’s

• Believe in the power of healing, and that lies inside of each of us

• “If the concrete physical death can destroy us, the topic of death can save us”

• Psychedelics and our relationship with chronic pain

• If you can walk, you can dance

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• USCF Translational Psychedelic Research Program

• Talking about People through Dance

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We take another deep dive into the world of psychedelic research with our guest, Brian Anderson, this week. Is there a place for group therapy with psychedelic medicine and treatment? Brian just concluded a clinical trial to study just that. Working with HIV/AIDS survivors, Brian and his team focused on the efficacy of group therapy following psychedelic treatment. The outcome was generally positive, not just for the trial participants but also for Brian and his fellow researchers, who have a renewed curiosity and optimism about what we can offer those seeking help from past trauma. The burning question on everyone's mind: will the government allow psychedelic research and trials to continue? Tune in to find out!“I'm certainly more optimistic about how we can find ways to make psychedelic healing fit into conventional settings and do that in respectful and safe ways.”Brian Anderson, MD MSc, is a psychiatrist and assistant clinical professor in the UCSF Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. He is affiliated with the UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and UCSF Neuroscape. In 2018 he led a pilot clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted group therapy for demoralized long-term AIDS survivors. His research includes clinical trials as well as observational methods to assess the safety, clinical implementation, and regulation of the uses of psychedelics and other controlled substances.Show notes: How Brian Anderson got involved with Psychedelic research Why research focuses on Psilocybin rather than LSD Is psychedelic group therapy in the near future? Brian’s study with HIV/AIDS survivors The impact dosage and preparatory work has on trail participants Some unwanted consequences to psilocybin treatments The headline of his trail Will the government allow psychedelic research and trails to continue?Links and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine So You Want to be a Psychedelic Researcher? clinicaltrials.gov* Pragmatic Trial of Psilocybin Therapy in Palliative CareWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Are you curious about palliative care? Do you know what it is or when to ask for it? Palliative care is a field that seeks to improve the quality of life for individuals facing serious illnesses or nearing the end of their lives. In this episode, we explore the world of palliative care with a leading expert in the field, Dr. Ira Byock, M.D. From the evolution of palliative care to the use of psychedelics, this episode will challenge your perceptions and offer new insights into how we can provide the best care possible for those facing life's most challenging moments.“The potential for people to be well as they die should be the next big thing in American culture!”Ira Byock, M.D. is a leading medical authority and public advocate for improving care through the end of life. Dr. Byock is an active emeritus professor of medicine and community & family medicine at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine and has been involved in hospice and palliative care since 1978. His research has contributed to conceptual frameworks for the lived experience of illness; measures for subjective quality of life during illness; and counseling methods for life completion. He is a past president of the Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine.From 1996 to 2006 Dr. Byock directed a national grant project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that developed prototypes for concurrent palliative care within mainstream health care. From 2003 to mid-2013, he led the palliative care program at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and the Dartmouth health system based in Lebanon, N.H. Dr. Byock has authored numerous articles in academic journals, and his first book, Dying Well, has become a standard in the field of hospice and palliative care. The Four Things That Matter Most is widely used as a counseling tool within palliative care as well as pastoral care. The Best Care Possible presents the potential for health care transformation. Dr. Byock lectures nationally and internationally.Show notes: What is Palliative Care? How palliative care has evolved Treating Sharon who had Cystic Fibrosis When Richard was hit by a Winnebago Why treating the whole person is so important The cost of palliative care is less than you would think When can you ask for palliative care? The use of psychedelics in palliative care The fundamental nature of health and illness is not medical – It's personalLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine The Best Care Possible* Taking Psychedelics SeriouslyWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Addiction, psychedelic medicine, legalization and the decriminalization of sex work… Our guest, Randy Hencken, is no stranger to big ideas and challenging the status quo. As we discuss the topic of psychedelic medicines, our conversation naturally transitions to the decriminalization of sex work. Randy's experience with advocacy and political strategy in both fields provides valuable insight into the differences and similarities between these two areas of reform, and how they can inform each other in the pursuit of greater social justice.“I learned that people aren't evil in most cases, that they just have different opinions they have different values”Randy Hencken, is a business strategist for Prisms AI and recently a political consultant for Decriminalize Sex Work. He was a co-founder of Blue Frontiers, an organization that aimed to build a floating city in French Polynesia, and previously served as the Executive Director of The Seasteading Institute. In addition, Randy was the Chairman of the Board for Students for Sensible Drug Policy and the Communication Director for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), where he organized the first MAPS Psychedelic Science Conference in San Jose in 2011. He was also the Associate Director for the Ibogaine Association based in Mexico. Randy holds a Masters degree in Communication Studies and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from San Diego State University. He is joining the show to discuss his successful overcoming of addiction to heroin and cocaine using the psychedelic medicine Ibogaine in 2001. Randy resides in Snowmass Village, Colorado with his wife and doodle, and spends as much time as he can outdoors, snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking, and white water rafting. He has led a camp at Burning Man for the past 20 years. He is also hosting two adventures bookending the Psychedelic Science conference in Denver this June, 2023. Learn more at about these excursions at www.ps23co.comShow notes: Randy’s battle with Heroin How Randy kicked the habit with Iboga Is it time psychedelic freedom political party? Psychedelics have become mainstream now Adjusting post Ibogaine treatment The Dangers of Ibogaine and a possible solution A really clear path between wanting to legalize drugs and decriminalize sex work Legalization vs. Decriminalization A case study: New Zealand Should sex workers be licensed? The work Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW) does Psychedelic Science 2023 Colorado Mountain AdventuresLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Psychedelic Science 2023 Colorado Mountain Adventures Prisms.aiWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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What does the current state of the world and addiction treatment programs have to do with Whitehead's process philosophy? John Buchanan, president of the Helios Foundation, brings them all together. He joins us to explore his personal healing journey, the use of psychedelics with terminal patients, and the possibility of life after death. John emphasizes the importance of understanding interconnectedness and taking deliberate action, which he has learned throughout many pivotal moments in his life. Our thought-provoking conversation offers insights into the complexities of our world and the importance of developing a holistic perspective in order to make positive change. Don't miss this intriguing conversation that offers a unique perspective on the world and the universe we inhabit.“You know, we have a lot of choices in life and maybe there's choices in death too.”John H. Buchanan received his master’s degree in humanistic/transpersonal psychology from West Georgia College and his doctorate from the Graduate Institute of the Liberal Arts at Emory University. He has been trained and certified as a Holotropic Breathwork practitioner by Stan and Christina Grof. His book, "Processing Reality: Finding Meaning in Death, Psychedelics, and Sobriety", based upon his continuing interests in process philosophy and transpersonal psychology, was published in the fall of 2022. Buchanan has contributed a number of journal articles and book chapters on similar topics, and in 2020 was contributing co-editor for "Rethinking Consciousness: Extraordinary Challenges for Contemporary Science". Dr. Buchanan also serves as president of the Helios Foundation.Show notes: We're living in a troubled world right now Five pivotal events that shaped John’s thinking John’s first psychedelic experience Working with Whitehead’s process philosophy Alternative modes of consciousness The use of psychedelics with terminal patients Ego Death VS. DyingLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom by Dr. Richard L. Miller Psychedelic Medicine by Dr. Richard L. Miller Coke Enders Alcohol and Drug Program Parapsychology, Philosophy, & Spirituality by David Griffin Processing Reality: Finding Meaning in Death, Psychedelics, and Sobriety by John BuchananWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Sex work is a complex and multifaceted topic that is often surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. For many people, the idea of selling sex is morally reprehensible, and they believe that it should be illegal. However, there is a growing movement that argues that current laws often do more harm than good. Our guest, Ariela Moscowitz, is a passionate advocate for the rights of those involved in consensual adult sex work. Her work for the organization Decriminalizing Sex Work (DSW) functions to create a better future for sex workers and end sex trafficking.This episode will provide an eye-opening exploration of the importance of decriminalizing sex work and its potential to improve the lives of countless individuals. We will have an open and honest discussion about the industry and the impact of current laws on sex workers and sex trafficking victims. Join us as we tackle this important topic. Together, we can work to make a safer, healthier, and better society for all.“Decriminalizing sex work does not lead to a proliferation of folks engaging in sex work or trafficking in any way. On the contrary, decriminalization promotes health and safety, and we need to be realistic about that.”Ariela Moscowitz is communications director at Decriminalize Sex Work (DSW), national organization pursuing a state-by-state strategy to end the prohibition of consensual adult prostitution in the United States. DSW works with local organizations, advocates, and lobbyists to build community support and convince legislators to decriminalize consensual adult sex work in an effort to end human trafficking, improve public health, and promote community safety. Ariela has a long history of working with marginalized groups and “a particular interest in working to promote access to justice for those who might otherwise be denied it.” She has worked at domestic violence shelters in Burlington, VT, and Miami, FL, in various capacities, and lived in Philadelphia, PA, for several years where she worked with unhoused women and children. She joined DSW from Americans for Immigrant Justice, a non-profit law firm based in Miami, dedicated to protecting the human and legal rights of immigrants. Ariela currently resides in Miami with her son.Show notes: About the organization Decriminalize Sex Work What is sex trafficking? How decriminalization will help end sex trafficking The problem with “supply and demand” The entrapment and “end demand” models for laws Progress against the war on sex An acceptable form of discrimination in this country Decriminalization to improve folks' livesLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic MedicineWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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What does it take to build community and connection at the end of our lives? In this episode, we sit down with our guest Charles Bush to discuss his experiences working with those nearing the end of their lives. Charles shares his insights on the ideal end-of-life experience, emphasizing the universal desire for connection and love, which is something we all could use more of in these times.Charles' insights and experiences working with seniors provide valuable lessons that we can all learn from. As we explore the positive effects of psychedelic medicines in promoting a good dying experience, Charles emphasizes the importance of intimacy in creating a safe and supportive environment. Join us for this enlightening conversation on the importance of community and connection, especially as we age and approach the end of our lives."Dying [should] become a real event for all of us instead of a tucked away secret that more often than not is marked by a certain kind of dismay and confusion"– Charles BushCharles Bush has lived on the Mendocino Coast for nearly four decades. Before coming to the Coast, he managed large residential service operations on college campuses. He co-founded Mendocino's successful and long-lived Community School. He retired from his position as director of Chamisa Mesa School near Taos, New Mexico, and became the Executive Director of the Redwood Coast Senior Center, where he served for several years.Show notes: Serving lunches to seniors The experience of working at a senior center Creating community The ideal end-of-life experience The one thing almost everyone says before the go The connection between good dying and good drug taking Different psychedelic experiences which build community A gentle caring and a touching intimacy Do you think about dying? Dying is nothing compared to grieving Dying is rooted in psychedelic or sacramental experience Would you take a psychedelic right as you died?Links and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic MedicineWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Last year, on the same day she graduated from her psychedelic Assisted psychotherapy program, our guest – Heather A. Lee – received a breast cancer diagnosis. Taking a dose of her own medicine, Heather has been on a unique healing journey with psilocybin as part of her psychospiritual healing. Heather's journey reflects on the transformative power of psychedelics and the importance of embracing mortality to truly live. Tune in to hear Heather's inspiring experience and insight as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist.“I'm completely in this place of faith and trust at my core. At my core, I don't have any fear around those things. It's like I've released them.”Heather Lee is one of the first certified psychedelic assisted psychotherapists. She has been leading mind/body wellness programs and retreats for over 30 years. Her clients have included such acclaimed clients at the Golden Door, Four Seasons and One & Only.Show notes: Heather’s first job with planned parenthood This incredible year of vagabonding Cancer and psychedelics Changing the fear based pattern of thinking Becoming a Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapist The inward journey with psilocybin The importance of integration Psychedelics to enhance your marriage Conquering the fear and anxiety around death Reframing and affirmations Medicine Woman Retreats and Heather's workLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Medicine Woman RetreatsWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Subscribe now: https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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We live in an exciting time for psychedelic research. While mental health is often the focus of these medicines, what about their use at the end of life? Our guest, Anthony (Tony) Bossis focuses specifically on those nearing end of life or in palliative care.Tony is clearly passionate about what he does as we delve into cutting-edge research being conducted on the use of high-dose psilocybin for inducing peak experiences and its potential in end-of-life care. He explores the role of psychedelics in fighting demoralization and the fear of death, how we can expand the reach of psychedelic therapies, and the current political state of psychedelic research. His interests and experience make this a captivating and thought-provoking listen for all.“It's always funny to be a scientist talking about love all the time, but I'm glad I am.”Anthony P. Bossis, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine, an adjunct professor of classics and religious studies at the University of Ottawa, and an investigator at The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation. Since 2006, he has been conducting FDA-approved clinical research with the psychedelic compound psilocybin. Dr. Bossis was director of palliative care research and co-principal investigator on the 2016 clinical trial demonstrating a significant reduction in emotional distress from a single psilocybin session in persons with cancer or near the end of life, specifically, a rapid decrease in depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and demoralization along with improvements in spiritual well-being and quality of life. He is the study director and lead therapist on an FDA-approved clinical trial investigating a psilocybin-generated mystical experience with religious leaders.Dr. Bossis is a training supervisor of psychotherapy at NYU-Bellevue Hospital and the co-founder and former co-director of the Bellevue Palliative Care Service. He is on the faculty of The Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies and has a long-standing interest in comparative religion, mystical experience, and the interface of psychology and spirituality. His primary psychedelic research interests are the treatment of end-of-life existential distress and advancing our understanding of consciousness, meaning, and spirituality. Dr. Bossis is on the editorial board of the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and a guest editor (with Charles Grob, M.D.) for the journal’s Special Series on Psychedelics. He maintains a private psychotherapy and consulting practice in NYC.Show notes: High dose psilocybin studies Having a peak experience The use of psychedelics with end of life Fighting demoralization A scientist speaking about love Can we escape fear of death? Work with near death experiences The risks of psychedelic use Research with psychedelics and Alzheimer's How to expand psychedelic therapy How Tony got into this work The present political state of psychedelic research This is a remarkable time in the worldLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom* Psychedelic MedicineWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Join us as we explore the work of a hospice nurse and peek behind the curtain on a truly rewarding profession. “The Hospice Nurse Julie” gives us a deeper understanding of what hospice is, and the difference it can make in the lives of patients and their loved ones. Julie McFadden, a former ICU nurse, shares the challenges she faces, how to respond to a patient's request for “Death with Dignity”, how this career changed her life, and the sometimes unexpected "surge and rally" at the end of life. It is easy to see why her videos went viral, Julie brings joy and passion to what is often seen as a dark topic. Her determination to make a difference in the lives of her patients shines through.“To me, hospice is about living. It provides you a space to live out the rest of your life.”Julie McFadden, BSN, RN has been a nurse for 15 years. Julie is an experienced ICU, and now Hospice/Palliative Nurse. Julie has been featured in Newsweek, USA today, The Atlantic, The Business Insider, Medscape, People, Buzz feed, and several other articles worldwide. Julie has been passionate about normalizing death through education to the masses using social media. Her tiktok has 1.1 M followers, and you can find her on all social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube) at Hospice Nurse Julie.You can find her on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.Show notes: What caused Julie to move from ICU to hospice? What Hospice Really Is “Can you take me out?” The surge and rally at end of life What it means to “see spirits” What percentage of people are in acceptance and ready to die gracefully? Is it uncertainty that leads to fear? The most challenging part of her work “I won't stop being a hospice nurse no matter what.” Going Viral over death and dyingLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine* Follow Hospice Nurse Julie on TikTokWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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It is often fun to bounce ideas between good friends. This conversation with Creon Levit is no different. Creon’s interests are vast, but one thing is for certain, he is working towards a better future. Looking at psychedelic use beyond treatment for mental illness, Creon shares with us the notable tech giants, and their possible inspirations, as well as a glimpse into his daily diet and routine.“Your friendship is one of the highlights of my life. And so thank you for everything.”Creon Levit worked for NASA as a research scientist for 32 years doing high performance computing, data visualization, computational aeronautics, quantum chemistry, and spacecraft optics. For the last eight years he has been chief technologist and Director of R&D for Planet Labs - a satellite imaging company that has built, launched, and operates almost 500 earth-imaging satellites.Creon was good friends with Terrence McKenna, Sasha Shulgin, and John C. Lilly and has had a long interest in the intersection between psychedelics and technology.Show notes: An applied physicist at NASA for 30 years – introducing Creon Levit Cyber Security and surveillance Psychedelics and technology The use of psychedelics for creativity The fallout for using some of these substances Whats the big deal in talking about these things? Are we in planetary conflict? How Creon changed his physiology This is not medical advice- Always seek the advice of your health care provider before undertaking a new health care regimenLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller) Steve Jobs (Walter Isaacson) How the Hippies Saved Physics (David Kaiser)* Peter Attia: What if we're wrong about diabetes?Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Summary“I'm the practical shaman, I want people to eat up the plate of food from this life.”Renee Baribeau, the Practical Shaman, is an author, Wind Whistler, inspirational mentor, respected business coach, dynamic spiritual teacher, and keynote speaker. Renee is well known for her no-nonsense, “tell it like it is” approach in her Shamanic Apprenticeship Program. Her Nautilus Gold, Award-winning Hay House book, Winds of Spirit: Ancient Wisdom Tools for Navigating Relationships, Health, and the Divine helps others to achieve successful lifestyle practices by aligning to their sacred Magnetic North. Renee holds an executive marketing leadership position within the behavioral health industry.Show notes: Renee’s first dismemberment experience Her early experiences with plant medicine and alcoholism Being radically awake and totally present The relationship between being radically awake and planning for the future Shamanistic practices with people who are terminally ill What is Karma? Clearing up ancestral hurt The Winds of Spirit The different kinds of winds Exercises that we can use to be better attuned to what the winds might be telling us Other ways to call the winds What the geographic winds mean in our lives How can people prepare when they're coming to the end of a season of life? “If you're going to eat a bowl of ice cream, eat it with a lot of love”Links and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic MedicineWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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It is human nature to seek a deeper understanding of our world and our connection to it. Often we look to philosophy or psychedelic experiences to find answers to life’s questions – what happens when the two intersect? Our guest, Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, has dedicated his life to that very interaction. From exploring the philosophical history and the substances great philosophers may have used to how these principles apply in today’s world, Peter brings light to a field that is often overlooked in today’s psychedelic renaissance.“People did say I had a lot to lose about 10 years ago, they said 'don't mention this it’s a career killer.' But actually, it sort of made my career many ways.”Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes is philosopher of mind and metaphysics who specializes in the thought of Spinoza, Nietzsche, and Whitehead, and in fields pertaining to altered and panpsychological states of consciousness. He is a research fellow and lecturer at the University of Exeter where he has co-founded the Philosophy of Psychedelics Exeter Research Group, the ambit of which includes taught modules, conferences, workshops, and publications. Peter is the author of Noumenautics, Modes of Sentience, editor of Bloomsbury's Philosophy and Psychedelics volume, the TEDx Talker on ‘psychedelics and consciousness’, and he is inspiration to the inhuman philosopher Marvel Superhero, Karnak. Show notes: Bringing Psychedelics into Philosophy There is a struggle going on, on the planet, between two groups of people Psychedelics and culture Do you believe that life ends? What Spinoza means by the intellectual love of God The influence of psychedelics on philosophers today The integration of philosophy and psychology Something practical and something theoreticalLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) AVAILABLE NOW Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller) Follow Peter on Twitter Philosophy and Psychedelics (Dr. Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes)Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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The book Changing Our Minds is an experiential tour through a social, spiritual, and scientific revolution that is redefining our culture’s often-confusing relationship with psychoactive substances. Its author (and my guest), Don Lattin, is well-researched and well spoken on the subject of psychedelic medicine. Speaking both from professional and personal experiences, he values these drugs for their healing potential, but cautions us – are psychedelics too popular now? Are we giving these powerful substances the respect they need?“I think there's a danger in us forgetting that these drugs are not something to take lightly”Veteran San Francisco based journalist, Don Lattin, is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including The Harvard Psychedelic Club, published by HarperCollins in 2010, and Changing Our Minds – Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, released in 2017 by Synergetic Press. Don has been writing about psychedelics for newspapers and magazines since the 1970s. In addition to his books, you can read his work on Lucid News.Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Show notes: How Aldous Huxley experimented with LSD at the end of his life Dying with consciousness Psychedelic research groups The genesis of the fear of death End of life transition with psychedelics The most terrifying experiences, if you have a proper guide, are the best experiences Questions that would be beneficial to ask yourself near the end of life These drugs are not something to take lightly Treatments Don has tried personally The most effective immediate cure for depression Microdosing with mushrooms and LSDLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) AVAILABLE NOW Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller) A Really Good Day (Ayelet Waldman)* God on psychedelicsWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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In this highly informative episode our guest, Jahan Khamsehzadeh, gives us the nitty gritty on the ingestion and use of Psilocybin (often referred to as the “magic mushroom”.) Jahan lays out his research in a way that is not only understandable but comprehensive. Our topics include: how the medicine affects consciousness, proper dosing and safety, frequency of experience, potential negative effects, who should not take the medicine, anxiety regarding end-of-life transitioning, effects on sexuality, and so much more. This is a must-listen for all those interested in this topic.“The point of psychedelic experiences is to have a good life.”Jahan Khamsehzadeh, Ph.D. completed his dissertation on psychedelics at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) in San Francisco. His book, “The Psilocybin Connection: Psychedelics, the Transformation of Consciousness, and Evolution of the Planet—An Integral Approach” was published by North Atlantic Books and distributed Spring 2022 by Penguin Random House. The Audible version became the #1 new audiobook on mushrooms on Amazon. He earned his Masters in Consciousness and Transformative Studies from John F. Kennedy University, and his Bachelors from the University of Arizona with a major in Philosophy and minors in Physics, Psychology, and Mathematics. Aside from academic work, he has undergone several major trainings, including graduating from the Hakomi somatic-psychotherapy program and training within the Mazatec mushroom tradition. He assisted the Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Certificate training at CIIS for two years and mentored at the newly emerging School of Consciousness Medicine. He is a consultant for the Synthesis Psychedelic Guide training and a teacher for the PsiloHealth psychedelic peer supporter training. He works as a facilitator for legal psilocybin mushrooms ceremonies in Jamaica with Atman Retreats and offers integration sessions as part of his private practice. Jahan has been on dozens of podcasts talking about different cross section on psychedelics—from therapy and history to sexuality and development. To learn more about his practice, please visit www.PsychedelicEvolution.org.Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Show notes: Why study Psilocybin? Near the end of life anxiety and psilocybin Creating an interconnected brain state Easing the fear of death Death is the greatest day of your life LSD VS. Psilocybin Establishing different doses with Psilocybins Good old fear again- why a guide is important The intersection of sex and psychedelics The negative side effects of psilocybin How often can one safely take psilocybin? Heart conditions and psychedelics If I died tomorrow, could I die with peace? Jahan Khamsehzadeh – A universe of five brothersLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) AVAILABLE NOW Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller) Roland Griffiths from John Hopkins Beyond the Narrow Life (Kile M. Ortigo)* Free online psychedelic trainingWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Our guest, Andrew Penn, is a prominent researcher at the University of California-San Francisco, and he brings us up-to-date information on the clinical research happenings with psychedelic medicine. Andrew’s insights on the research being conducted, the risks and benefits of psilocybin and MDMA, and his first-hand experience as a psychedelic nurse create a compelling listen for anyone interested in these powerful substances. While it is clear that psychedelics hold a great deal of potential in the treatment of depression and PTSD, it is also clear that a lot more research is needed. Be it in a lab or in practice, Andrew works to promote healing within. He leaves us with a thought that is near and dear to the heart of this program – that “the thing about psychedelic experiences is they can create this experience of reunification, that people feel like they are attached to something larger than themselves.”“We can feel connected to something bigger and more important, and, perhaps that experience of reconnection has the potential to healing.”Andrew Penn, MS, PMHNP is a Clinical Professor in the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing where his teaching has received the UCSF Academic Senate Distinction in Teaching Award, among other recognitions. He has practices as a psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioner, treating veterans at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Hospital. As a researcher, he collaborates on psychedelics studies of psilocybin and MDMA in the Translational Psychedelics Research (TrPR) lab at UCSF.A leading voice in nursing, he is a cofounder of the Organization of Psychedelic and Entheogenic Nurses (OPENurses.org), advocating for the perspective of nurses in psychedelic therapy. He has published on psychedelics in the American Journal of Nursing, Frontiers in Psychiatry, and The Journal of Humanistic Psychotherapy. An internationally invited speaker, he has lectured at SXSW, Aspen Health Ideas Festival, the Singapore Institute of Mental Health, and Oxford University.Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Show notes: What’s going on at UCSF in the area of psychedelic research Developing psilocybin treatment for depression The decriminalization movement that we're seeing The physiological effects of psychedelic medicines MDMA for PTSD Potential changes to the FDA’s schedule of drugs The importance of caution Negative side effects to be aware of Psychedelic and entheogenic nurses Creating connection with psychedelicsLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) PREORDER NOW Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller) Roland Griffiths on MBHP Interested in participating in a clinical trial? - Find out moreWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues; and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their end of life healing stories with psychedelics.Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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If you want to have a happy evening sitting around with friends or family, you don't talk about religion, sex, money, and politics. Another topic, perhaps, is death and dying. Death is a part of all of our lives and something that we should feel normal discussing. What if we had someone to walk alongside us and make the prospect of the end of life something less scary? That is exactly the role an end-of-life doula takes. My Guest, Catherine Durkin Robinson, works as a death doula – offering her services to those with a terminal diagnosis and those who want to learn about the dying process alike. Talking about death and owning the process could very well be the key to breaking out of our fear and making it a sacred, almost joyful event.“We're talking about reducing fear, reducing anxiety, so that they can have a more joyful death.”Catherine Durkin Robinson is a death doula and educator. She graduated from the University of Vermont's End-of-Life Doula program and belongs to National End-of-Life Doula Alliance. She was also a longtime hospice-trained volunteer and registered pre-need counselor in the state of Florida before relocating to Chicago in July 2022. Her varied career includes 30 years as a political organizer, 10 years as an educator at the high school and college level, and 10 years as a newspaper columnist in Tampa.Currently, she serves people at end of life and teaches classes at colleges and community organizations through her private practice, Anitya Doula Services, in Chicago. She also serves as a death doula with the Diaspora Psychedelic Society in Jamaica.Show notes: What is a doula? Becoming an end of life doula The people who seek out a death doula Catherine’s goal is to normalize the conversation about end-of-life “Doula for a Day” with Richard What an advanced care directive is Your familiarity with the dying process End of life and psychedelics More and more places are decriminalizing plant medicine Dying joyfully, rather than consciouslyLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom- PREORDER NOW Psychedelic Medicine Diaspora Psychedelic Society The National End-of-Life Doula Alliance “NEDA”* Compassion and ChoicesThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Conversations about the end of life are hard and often uncomfortable – but needed. Have you talked with your loved ones about the topic; Where you would like to be? Who should be taking care of you? These are all questions our guest, Siobhan Greene, advocates for in her work. While death and dying is uncomfortable, it is a natural process that we all go through in life. It is Siobhan’s hope that if we talk about it, we may be better equipped, as a society, to have a deepened understanding of it.“These are the topics that are incredibly relevant to all of us yet difficult sometimes to lean into and to understand”Siobhan Greene, began serving as President/CEO for Hospice Giving Foundation in August 2013. She specializes in nonprofit executive and financial management, board governance, marketing, and fundraising. Dedicated to the movement to improve quality care at end of life, Siobhan is an active member of the Serious Illness Funders Collaborative, a national collective examining the system of end-of-life care, and she facilitates local professional collaboratives addressing needs in Monterey County. Her past professional experience includes working with children, mental health services, and at-risk community groups. Before joining HG Foundation, Siobhan was Executive Director of CASA of Monterey County for 11 years and currently serves on CASA’s Board of Directors. Siobhan began her career working in in-patient psychiatric services in the Bay Area prior to moving the Monterey Peninsula. Siobhan was President of the Rotary Club of Carmel-by-the-Sea (2016) and is past-commissioner for Monterey County’s Juvenile Justice Commission having been chair in 2012. Siobhan served on California CASA Board of Directors focusing on statewide system improvement for children in foster care; is past-chair of and continues to be active with the Monterey Bay Association of Fundraising Professionals; and has served on AFP’s National Philanthropy Day local organizing committee for over 10 years.Show notes: Hospice and encouraging community When does the end of life process begin? A conversation through the end of life The Hospice Giving Foundation Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care Talking about end of life Treating people as a whole person Conversations with your family * Is there a place for psychedelics in end of life? An act of love to let somebody care for you during your final daysLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine End of Life Option Act* Go Wish GameThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.(Learn more about Wilbur Hot Springs)Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Can you imagine your way to a better future? That is exactly what our guest, Sandy Turner, is hoping to achieve through his participation in Transition Towns. These areas are transitioning away from individualistic private property, huge corporations, and extreme inequality, and transitioning towards cooperation, regenerative systems, social and environmental justice, and community creativity. As this concept expands, we hope that together we can create stronger communities and a better society for all, because after all – good health is worth fighting for and is essential for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.“Being a friendly neighbor... that's what attracts me to Transition Towns.”Sandy Turner has lived in Northern California for 50 years and most of that has been in Mendocino County. In 2011, he helped start a Transition Town in Ukiah that was called Transition Ukiah Valley. He was one of 7 people on the steering committee for the project. Transition Ukiah Valley also had 6 or 8 groups of people focused on a variety of topics who put on films, potlucks, community bike rides, Skill Shares, and Free Markets collaborating with the Mendo Free Skool and the Mendocino Environmental Center. Since then, Sandy moved to the Mendocino Coast and has helped start a Transition Mendo Coast group (TMC). This group has held a Farm Helping Day and popular game nights for the community. TMC has also planted fruit trees at a local emergency preparedness HUB.Show notes: What is a Transition Town? How Transition Towns get started How people can join the movement Building a community What if… * Use imagination, creativity, and play to help build the futureLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Daily Acts Transition Towns Transition Mendo Coast Facebook* From What Is to What If- Rob Hopkins Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.(Learn more about Wilbur Hot Springs)Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Our guest, Police Lieutenant Sarko Gergerian of the Winthrop Massachusetts Police Department, is fighting for change. Change in policy, change in the way drugs are classified, and a change in the way officers can reach out for help. He dreams of a day when first responders have access to the mental health care they need and the War on Drugs is over. Sarko is not only a peace officer in Massachusetts, he is also a psychotherapist, Karate Professor, and advocate for psychedelic medicines – having experienced firsthand the healing potential they have. We discuss the challenges first responders face, the domestic violence problem, and the changes that are being made to make our nation a better place.

“This is one of the most amazing countries on earth, in my opinion. And it deserves reverence and care. And we need to keep working to make it better”

Sarko Gergerian is a master's level clinical mental health counselor with a background in philosophy, religion, and psychology, and is currently doing doctorate-level work at Pacifica Graduate Institute in Depth, Jungian and Archetypal Psychology. He is trained in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and holds the 100-hour certificate from the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). He is the first working peace officer in the country to complete an experiential training component sanctioned by the Federal Government which allowed entry into an expanded state of consciousness by MDMA during psychotherapy and the first to earn the Certified Addiction Recovery Coach (CARC) credential from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Sarko currently works as a police peace officer at the rank of Lieutenant and a psychotherapist. In these roles, he founded one of the first Guardianship police models in the country known as C.L.E.A.R. He is a certified police peer professional who works to not only find and help civilians stay out of cages and caskets, but also connect with first responders so they do not succumb to job-related stress injury. In his lifetime, he has worked as a certified personal trainer, natural bodybuilding competitor/coach, and mental health first aid instructor. He is a published thinker, national trainer, and international speaker. He is an activist working to bring the War on Drugs to an end.

Sarko believes that a strong therapeutic alliance is foundational to psychotherapy. He uses empathy, active listening, and proper questions to engage in meaningful therapeutic dialogue, which is always trauma-informed, strengths-based, and person-centered. He believes that resilience and capacity expansion in all of the domains of wellness should be central to self-care. In addition to policing and psychotherapy, he holds professor-level rank in American Kenpo Karate (AKK) and is a certified Heart Math meditation instructor and trainer.

Show notes:

• The first working police officer in the United States to earn the certified addiction recovery coach credential – Police Lieutenant Sarko Gergerian

• The different types of education police offers should have

• The Federal Bureau of Narcotics made everything worse- how has policing adapted?

• Could safe supply be the answer to our drug problems?

• The war on drugs is a terrible war

• Moral injury and the domestic violence problem

• These people are people in need of support

• How did a police officer come to realize the potential benefits of psychedelics?

• The wheels of change go very, very slowly

• The positive impact of Martial Arts

• The importance of firearms training for police officers

Links and references:

• Psychedelic Wisdom

• Psychedelic Medicine

• Good Cop, Bad War

• Entheo Bliss

• Ecstatic

Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.

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Have a Healing Story to Share?

We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.

(Learn more about Wilbur Hot Springs)

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What does it mean to reduce harm in treatment? For years we have had many methods to treat substance abuse; abstinence programs, as a disease… yet we have more drug overdoses today than ever before. There is a drive to embrace a new way of thinking, and that is in harm reduction. Our guest, Dr. Andrew Tatarsky, has dedicated his life to this epidemic and has developed an Integrative Harm Reduction Psychotherapy treatment for drug and substance abuse. He meets people where they are, listens with compassion, and works to create a relationship with those he treats, so they feel safe and can heal. Dr. Tatarsky walks with his patients on their journey as they figure it out together – and couldn’t we all use someone to walk with when we are struggling?“If the treatment isn't more appealing than the symptom or the drug? Why should somebody go to treatment?”Andrew Tatarsky is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment of problematic substance use and other potentially risky behaviors. He has specialized in the field of substance use treatment for 35 years working as a counselor, psychologist, program director, trainer, advocate and author. He has devoted his career to developing a comprehensive psychobiosocial understanding of the broad spectrum of substance use problems and an integrative harm reduction psychotherapy approach to treating this spectrum.Dr. Tatarsky is Founder and Director of the Center for Optimal Living in NYC, a treatment and professional training center based on Integrative Harm Reduction Therapy (IHRP) for the spectrum of substance misuse and other high-risk behaviors. He earned his doctorate in clinical psychology from the City University of New York and is a graduate of New York University's Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. He is a member of the medical and clinical advisory panels to the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services of New York State. Dr. Tatarsky is a founding member and twice past-president of the Division on Addiction of New York State Psychological Association.Show notes: Richard’s Introduction to Harm Reduction programs How harm reduction emerged The failures of abstinence based disease model treatment The addiction as a disease model Is it an impulse control disorder? The Psychobiosocial interaction in our habits What place does detoxification have in harm reduction? Finding motivation to change The most important variable in psychotherapy is the alliance between the patient and the therapist Coffee addictions What is driving harm reduction today? Can someone succeed with controlled use? Harm Reduction Therapy is compassionate pragmatismLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Harm Reduction Psychotherapy – Andrew Tatarsky G. Alan Marlatt Coke Enders Alcohol and Drug Program* Games Alcoholics Play – Claude SteinerWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Sitting down with Cathy Reisenwitz was a wonderful peek into sex work and the intellectual ideas revolving around it. Cathy’s journey from an evangelical, to a sugar baby, and now a thriving journalist is a testament to anyone working to forge their own path in life. From her personal story to politics, the impact of socioeconomic status, masculinity, and choice – we talk about it all in this week's program. “As the war on drugs [is] kind of ramping down, I believe, the war on sex is ramping up.”Cathy Reisenwitz is a writer with bylines in VICE, Reason, the Daily Beast, The Week, and other publications. Her newsletter is Sex and the State on Substack – a newsletter about power. Cathy works to end loneliness and foster human connection through her writing.Show notes: Coming from Huntsville, Alabama- Author and Journalist Cathy Reisenwitz As the war on drugs is ramping down the war on sex is ramping up The laws surrounding sex work vs. sex trafficking The attitudes towards sex growing up in Madison County Cathy’s journey from evangelical life to sex work in the nation’s capital How the Sex work industry is similar to the food industry How the SESTA/FOSTA law impacted sex work What it means to be a Sugar Baby vs. an Escort The importance of a contract Masculinity and sexuality Sex in the State The impact sex work has had on her life and futureLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic MedicineThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Coming to you from across the pond, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jemma Richards from the Love This Food Thing podcast. Now in the show’s fifth season, Jemma opens the door to conversations about food, creating a “smorgasbord” of stories for people to relate to and find support in. While we live thousands of miles away from each other, we found common ground in our ideas on food, society, and our desire to create a community of like-minded people. Through her show, much like mine, Jemma works to promote healing through the modality of sharing stories and encouraging conversation. I encourage you to check out her podcast and blog after this episode, as I am certain you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed our deep conversation.“I'm trying to open up the conversation and have something for everybody.”Jemma Richards is the creator and host of the Love This Food Thing Podcast. The podcast pivots on the premise, “food: friend or foe?” After years of eating disorders but now recovered, Jemma decided to open up the conversation to find out how other people manage their relationship with food, and how it affects their behavior. Jemma believes that eating disorders are symptomatic of an imbalanced relationship with the Self, but if properly understood and recovered from, they can be powerful healing tools. Alongside hosting the podcast, she is also a voiceover artist and writer who shuttles between London and the lovely British seaside.Show notes: Trigger Warning: This episode contains talk of eating disorders Introducing “Love This Food Thing” podcast host – Jemma Richards Richard and Jemma’s personal struggles with food Her “ah-ha” moment where she found help Healing is more about incorporating it into one’s system Is bread the healer of the world or a method of control? The reasons behind a plant based diet Are we eating too much? How Jemma promotes healing with her podcast What five foods would you take to an island of your choice? Cultural differences regarding food in the United States and the United Kingdom The economics behind healthy eating Pending issues in the food supply chain An idea for community initiatives and gardens Using social media to promote communityLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Love This Food Thing Podcast Past episodes mentioned: Sylvia Earle https://open.substack.com/pub/mindbodyhealth/p/renowned-oceanographer-dr-sylvia-444?r=1lcdpn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=webThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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As you may know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Almost everyone will be touched at some point by a breast cancer diagnosis – either personally, or through a loved one. My listeners may not know that I recently experienced my own cancer scare with metastatic melanoma of the nodular kind – a serious condition that is often deadly. In my case, however, it was a wonderful experience because I had to deal with the fact that I may be what we call “dying.” I’m pleased to say that I rose to the challenge by reminding myself that there really is only now – there is no future and there is no past. I am now cancer-free, but the experience reminded me that we are all living on borrowed time.Awareness is a crucial component of raising consciousness, and sometimes it takes a serious wake-up call to motivate a positive change of mind. I recently spoke with Dr. Jennifer Shin, a medical oncologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, specializing in the care of patients with breast cancer. Dr. Shin has just co-authored Living with Breast Cancer: The Step-by-Step Guide to Minimizing Side Effects and Maximizing Quality of Life, which provides a great service for anyone looking to raise their consciousness around this topic, or any potentially terminal diagnosis.“Palliative care is, in a nutshell, helping people to live well when they have a serious diagnosis like cancer.” – Dr. Jennifer ShinDr. Shin is also a palliative medicine physician and the co-director of the MGH Palliative Care Outpatient Clinic. As the first dual-trained oncologist and palliative care clinician at MGH, she leverages her clinical skills and perspectives to bring innovative approaches to improve treatment, quality of life, and outcomes in total cancer care. She enjoys teaching residents and fellows and oversees the palliative care education for the internal medicine residents at MGH. Her book encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, supportive care of symptoms from cancer and cancer therapies, and coping with cancer through the progression of cancer and the end of life. As a practicing breast oncologist and palliative care physician, she finds great joy in working with and learning from her patients and colleagues. She is inspired by her patients who allow her to accompany them on their journey toward finding a renewed sense of meaning and hope.I hope this interview will find its way to the listeners who need it most, and I encourage you to share it with others who could benefit from this awareness.Show notes: October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month My introduction to cancer through metastatic melanoma The positive aspects of the cancer diagnosis - Living with the belief that I was on my way to another place. What is palliative care? Helping people feel well at the end of life The interdisciplinary functions of palliative care What happens following a breast cancer diagnosis? Answering the hard questions: Am I going to die? How can we get rid of it? The stages of cancer, and what they mean for survival How optimal screening and removal decisions are made The low risks of radiation imaging procedures The treatment paths for different stages. * When to do chemotherapy vs. surgery. * Considerations around mastectomies – why can’t you just cut the cancer out? How common is breast cancer and what causes it? Managing the unwanted complications of breast cancer treatment Managing depression, preventative factors, exercise and weight loss Empowering people through education.Links and references: Living with Breast Cancer: The Step-by-Step Guide to Minimizing Side Effects and Maximizing Quality of Life by Dr. Jennifer Shin, et al. Breast Cancer Awareness Month Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic MedicineWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.(Learn more about Wilbur Hot Springs)Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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What do sex education and psychedelics have in common? Both need to be approached without shame or guilt. Drawing inspiration from the Burning Man community (as a 10-time visitor) for both getting rid of sexual shame and her work in the field of psychedelics, our guest – Dr. Lea Lis – works to promote a “No Shame” lifestyle. From running her psychedelic treatment center in the Hamptons to helping parents navigate sex talks with their children, Dr. Lis wants everyone to be their authentic selves. We sit down to talk about her new book “No Shame: Real Talk With Your Kids About Sex, Self-Confidence, and Healthy Relationships", but whether you have kids or not, it's about owning your own sexual values and living life shameless.“And in life, you always have to focus on the pearls. Like, no matter what's happened to you, you can always find the pearls of it, and you focus on those. Otherwise, you're gonna live your life and misery.”Dr. Lea Lis is known as the "Shameless Psychiatrist." She is a medical doctor who is a double board-certified Adult and Child Psychiatrist, and has been working with families since the beginning of her psychiatric career. She wrote a book called "No Shame: Real Talk With Your Kids About Sex, Self-Confidence, and Healthy Relationships" (2022) as a guide for parents as they seek to help their children through the maze of sexuality and intimate relationships in the 21st century. She has spent more than a decade as a psychiatrist working with parents and children in almost every imaginable type of family, and believes that children thrive in loving and respectful environments. It’s that simple—and that complicated. Her goal is to help all parents raise strong, secure, and resilient children who become strong, secure, and resilient adults—an aspiration that resonates across the lines of identity and sexuality. Dr. Lis recently opened Hampton Insight Institute (HII), a private practice that offers Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in Southampton, New York. HII provides psychedelic therapy for people suffering from different disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and post traumatic stress disorder.Show notes: Introducing double board certified psychiatrist- Dr. Lea Lis How Burning Man has influenced her work Dr. Lis’ thoughts on Ketamine Therapy Zoom therapy vs. in-person treatment What are shame and guilt? Some examples of shame – Weight and Height Living a “No Shame” lifestyle Creating compassionate discussions about sex with children How cultural hypocrisy affects us Different parenting styles – authoritarian, permissive, neglectful Other topics of major shaming between parents and children How culture and socioeconomic status affect shame The use of Ketamine as a way of treating shame Cognitive reframing with your children How parents can teach honesty and integrity Is giving kids money a disincentive to creating contributing members of society? Reach out and look for psychedelic practitioners in your areaLinks and references: More MBHP Content No Shame – Dr. Lea Lis Burning Man Fantastic Fungi Roland Griffiths Interview on Mind, Body, Health, and Politics Virginia Satir Tall Girl (Netflix) Leo Zeff – The Secret Chief The Year of Living Danishly – Helen RussellThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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“ The fact that homeopathic remedies are great, and they're safer and more powerful than conventional medicines, is something that's not a convenient thing for people invested in pharmaceuticals to know.”Jerry M. Kantor is the author of “Sane Asylums, The Success of Homeopathy Before Psychiatry Lost Its Mind” (2022). His previous books are; “Autism Reversal Toolbox, Strategies, Remedies, Resources”(2022); “The Toxic Relationship Cure: Clearing Traumatic Damage from a Boss, Parent, Lover, or Friend with Natural, Drug-free Remedies” (2014); “Interpreting Chronic Illness: The Convergence of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Homeopathy, and Biomedicine” (2013); and (under the pseudonym Chaim Yankel) “Heymischer Homeopathy, the Schmendrick’s Guide to Remedying Yiddish Kvetches” (2017). A forthcoming book will detail the relationship between existential quandaries and chronic illness. He holds a B.A. in philosophy from Queens College, CUNY; a master’s in the management of human services from Brandeis University; and is a graduate of the Advanced Acupuncture Program for Foreign Students, Nanjing College of Traditional Medicine, People’s Republic of China.Show notes: What homeopathic treatment of the mentally challenged is A homeopathic treatment example The idea of animism Can psychedelics be used in homeopathy? Another case study with a homeopathic treatment Where homeopaths get their information “Moral Care” philosophy The problems with pharmaceutical medicine How homeopathy is doing as a profession in the United States What the public should take away with regard to homeopathyLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom – Dr. Richard L. Miller Psychedelic Medicine – Dr. Richard L. Miller Rolland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins The Myth of Mental Illness– Thomas S. Szasz MD Anatomy of an Epidemic – Robert Whitaker Schools for Homeopathy- NASH* Stephen Beyer past episodeJerry and Richard speak a lot about the dangers of SSRIs- want to know more? Check out our past episode! https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/p/anatomy-of-an-epidemic-anti-depressants-358?r=1lcdpn&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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You have heard the quote, “Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Our guest today – Dr. J. Christian Greer – has made it his life’s work to ensure we understand the history of psychedelic culture and learn from it. In our interview, you can hear the passion Greer has for this branch of religious history. We discuss psychedelic-assisted churches, the Grateful Dead fandom, and the global history of psychedelic spirituality. Why is understanding history important to the average person getting involved in psychedelics today? Greer hopes that society can return to the knowledge that psychedelics have always been an integral part of human culture, both as a source of healing and religious exultation. As it pertains to the current psychedelic renaissance, in Greer’s words, “we don't learn anything. We just remember what's always been.”“Let us focus on the sublime affection that love brings to us all.”Dr. J. Christian Greer is a scholar of Religious Studies specializing in the global history of psychedelic spirituality. While a postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Divinity School, he led a series of research seminars that culminated in the creation of the Harvard Psychedelic Walking Tour, a free audio guide detailing how the Harvard community has shaped the modern history of psychedelic culture. His latest book, Kumano Kodo: Pilgrimage to Powerspots (OSGH Press), analyzes pilgrimage folklore that animates the rainforest landscapes of Japan's Kii peninsula, and his forthcoming book, Angelheaded Hipsters: Psychedelic Militancy in Nineteen Eighties North America (Oxford University Press), explores the expansion of psychedelic culture in the late Cold War era. He is currently a lecturer at Stanford University.Show notes: The history of psychedelic culture “The Grateful Dead,” psychedelics, and spirituality The importance of the past in psychedelic history How psychedelics can help us heal our wounds The origins of religion and psychedelics Jesus was a mushroom? What does that mean? Academic suicide– what happens when scholars speak up about psychedelics Are we building towards a change in culture with the Psychedelic Renaissance? Microdosing throughout history The importance of inner research The “stoned ape” theory Real power is togethernessLinks and references: Psychedelic Wisdom Psychedelic Medicine Timothy Leary The Sacred Mushroom and the Cross by John Allegro* Books by J. Christian GreerThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Ever wondered about the uses for psychedelic medicines such as LSD, psilocybin, Ayahuasca, and MDMA? How to use them, how to integrate their effects in to your every day life, or what potential health risks there are? Our guest this week – Dr. Rick Strassman – has the answers, fresh off of his marathon 4-hour-long appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. Well, we only went for 2 hours, but that was a new record for my program.Following the release of his newest book, The Psychedelic Handbook: A Practical Guide to Psilocybin, LSD, Ketamine, MDMA, and Ayahuasca, Strassman discusses his ideas on the big four and everything in between. “I think you need to be open-minded about your experiences.”A native of Los Angeles, Dr. Strassman obtained his undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from Stanford University and his medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University. He trained in general psychiatry at UC Davis in Sacramento and took a clinical psychopharmacology research fellowship at UC San Diego. Joining the faculty at the University of New Mexico School of Medicine in 1984, his clinical research with melatonin discovered its first known function in humans. Between 1990-1995 he performed the first new US clinical research with psychedelic drugs in a generation. His studies involved DMT, and to a lesser extent psilocybin, and received federal and private funding. From 1995-2008 he practiced general psychiatry in the community mental health and the private sectors. He has authored or co-authored nearly 50 peer-reviewed papers, has served as guest editor and reviewer for numerous scientific journals and consulted to various government, non-profit, and for-profit entities. His book DMT: The Spirit Molecule (2001) has sold more than 250,000 copies, been translated into 14 languages, and is the basis of a successful independent documentary that he co-produced. In 2008, he co-authored Inner Paths to Outer Space. He has also written DMT and the Soul of Prophecy (2014) and his first novel, Joseph Levy Escapes Death, appeared in 2019. His latest book, The Psychedelic Handbook, came out in August 2022. Dr. Strassman is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the UNM School of Medicine and lives in Gallup, New Mexico.Show notes:A visionary in psychedelic medicine, Dr. Rick Strassman Leo Zeff and Richard’s interaction with him Good vs. evil in the world How a medicine that facilitates empathy (MDMA) can bolster racism, misogyny, white supremacy, and hate Rick Strassman’s motivation for writing the Psychedelic Handbook The four major psychedelic medicines Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression and other conditions The difference between a “guide” and a “sitter” The benefits of psilocybin and LSD The risk of coming unraveled Richard’s experience with DMT and the universe The hallmark of any full psychedelic experience is that it is more real than real Marijuana paranoia The cardiovascular effects of MDMA Stimulated imagination that comes from psychedelics Is "psychedelic tourism" safe? Salvia Divinorum The importance of reading, studying psychology, and religionThree important questions to ask yourself when taking psychedelics Micro-dosingLet’s talk integration Links and references:Psychedelic WisdomPsychedelic MedicineSecret Chief Revealed (Leo Zeff)The Psychedelic Handbook Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.(Learn more about Wilbur Hot Springs)Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Almost every person interviewed on this show has talked about one thing; the overwhelming sense of unity they feel after using psychedelic medicines. Our guest- Tommy Pool- is no different. Looking back on his first trip with LSD, he remembers the closeness he felt with the friends around him. Now, many years later, he believes he is much more open, insightful, creative, and grounded because of psychedelics. Having used (and sometimes misused) these drugs as a teen “sub rosa,” and in light of new legislation in states like Colorado and increased national support, Tommy feels it is time to speak openly about the lasting benefits found with psychedelic medicines.“To take that risk and be willing to see things in a different way... [It’s] Love. And as far as I can see, everything that you've talked about, it's love. "Tommy came to us as a listener of this program. He heard our call for stories and felt compelled to share his. He is a psychotherapist and addiction specialist with approximately 30 years in the field working to heal others, and credits his early drug use for his career path and life purpose. While he knows there is a risk to speaking out about alternative medicines and psychedelic-assisted therapy- especially in his home state of Texas- Tommy feels this is the next chapter of his life. By sharing his story, openly joining the psychedelic community, and learning from other pioneers in the field, Tommy hopes to bring new awareness to the vast benefits he has experienced firsthand. We hope listening to his journey will inspire others to speak out and share their experiences as well. Every story of healing strengthens the bond we share and is a welcome addition to the psychedelic renaissance we now find ourselves in.Show notes:- Tommy’s first experience with psychedelics (9:16)- What happened if he got caught with drugs growing up in Texas (16:24)- Tommy Pool’s purpose in life- to heal others (18:37)- The use of psychedelic medicines as part of the healing process (22:13)- After a 10 year hiatus, Tommy experimented with psychedelics again (33:29)- What happened to change Tommy’s attitude toward these substances (35:21)- The sense of unity that comes from psychedelic experiences (38:01)- The research supporting psychedelic medicine is growing (41:37)- Do people in Texas believe in Organic Food? (44:05)- Living in Texas, Tommy attributes the use of psychedelics to his open mindedness (50:58)Links and references:Psychedelic WisdomPsychedelic Medicine Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe! Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics. Send stories to: producer@mindbodyhealthpolitcs.org Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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Dr. Richard Louis Miller is an American Clinical Psychologist, Founder of Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary, and broadcaster who hosts the Mind Body Health & Politics talk radio program from Mendocino County, California. Dr. Miller was also Founder and chief clinician of the nationally acclaimed, pioneering, Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program. Dr. Miller’s new book, Psychedelic Medicine, is based on his interviews with the most acclaimed experts on the topic. Mind Body Health & Politics radio broadcast is known for its wide ranging discussions on political issues and health. The program’s format includes guest interviews with prominent national authorities, scientists, best-selling authors, and listener call-ins. The programs offer a forum and soundboard for listeners to interact with the show and its guests. We invite you to listen to the latest broadcasts below or visit our many archived programs. We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues!

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Did you know, if a government official takes a psychedelic treatment for PTSD, they lose their security clearance? After finding success with psychedelics for the treatment of his own PTSD, that government restriction is exactly what our guest, Jon Connors, hopes to lift. I sat down with Jon to hear about his personal experiences and what has inspired him to take action on a national level. This episode covers some heavy topics such as suicidal tendencies, depression, and isolation; but ends on a positive note with the healing psychedelic therapy can offer- and how to get involved so the people who need it most can access the help they deserve.“I do remember enjoying the creativity of the experience and then unlocked aspects of myself that, I think, I carry through much of my life”Jon Connors has embarked on his healing of Complex PTSD via psychedelic medicine since 2017. His experiences have inspired him to help others heal as well. He is the founder of Heal Government Insiders, a nonprofit initiative to amend United States National Security rules to allow insiders to heal their PTSD with psychedelics and retain their Security Clearance. He is a passionate activist for both restoring psyches and restoring the planet through regenerative agriculture. For the latter, Jon is also the founder of Blockchain for Ecology and loves using art to fundraise for social impact initiatives. Show notes: Trigger warning- recollections of suicidal behaviorsA sailor, ecoactivist, and person undergoing psychedelic treatment- Introducing Jon Connors (9:32)The difference between Californians and Bostonians (13:13)Jon’s first experience with psychedelics at age 14 (14:20)An anecdote about Saudi Arabia and measurement (15:25)Why he never took these medicines again for decades (19:53)Entering into a psychotherapeutic endeavor (23:27)A bus accident memory turns out to be a repressed suicide attempt (28:46)His personal experience with Complex PTSD has inspired him to help others (31:35)The most powerful medication for depression is aerobic exercise (35:00)Isolation and COVID- we all are struggling (40:26)Martin Polanco and Ibogaine treatments (42:12)Heal Government Insiders- social initiative (43:55)The “demon rum” aka alcohol and alcoholism (45:33)“I don't want to go against the man. I want to heal the man” (49:05)Links and references:Duke University StudyDr. Martin PolancoAlbert Hofmann and his bike tripHeal Government InsidersThank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We’d love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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There is an old idiom that says when the pendulum goes one way, it's bound to swing back the other. Our guest, my old acquaintance and esteemed academic, Dr. Mariavittoria Mangini, has found that phrase applies to many aspects of her life. While we may be in precarious and difficult times, Mariavittoria has managed to stay positive, knowing that things can always change for the better. We sit down to have a full and wide-ranging conversation on politics, the state of the nation, privilege, and, of course, the profoundly lasting impression psychedelics have made on her life."I feel like I've had a lot more adventures and a lot more color and texture in my life because of those experiences."Mariavittoria Mangini, Ph.D., FNP has written extensively on the impact of psychedelic experiences in shaping the lives of her contemporaries and has worked closely with many of the most distinguished investigators in this field. She is one of the founders of the Women's Visionary Council, a nonprofit organization that supports investigations into non-ordinary forms of consciousness and organizes gatherings of researchers, healers, artists, and activists whose work explores these states. She is Professor Emerita in the School of Science, Allied Health, and Nursing at Holy Names University and a visiting scholar at the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics. For the last 50 years, she has been a part of the Hog Farm, a well-known communal family based in Berkeley and Laytonville, California.Show notes:Psychedelic elder and visionary- Mariavittoria Mangini- featured in the forthcoming book Psychedelic Wisdom (0:42)Mariavittoria's first experiences at the age of 16 (2:17)Realizations about death and the change in life course (3:18)The effects on her life happiness (4:33) The Haight Ashbury free clinic – a barefoot patient and later a Chairman of the Board (6:38)Will the American experiment in democracy last? (10:00)The problem with unremitting negativity in the media (10:22)The dangers of political polarization (12:48)Is religion the source of moralizing divisions? (14:44)Has America ever been a theocracy? (17:01)The dawn of open discussion of psychedelics and radical social changes of the past 30 years (21:21) The role of community radio in a democracy (25:27)Why communities need elders (31:24)What's going on with elders who lack wisdom? (34:32)The lingering effects of racism and white supremacy (37:00)The appropriate age to introduce children to psychedelics in a post-legalization world (45:30)The legacy of Betty Eisner and the idea of "Matrix" (46:29)The idealized view of universal access to psychedelics (48:47)How "matrix" effects one's protocol for administering psychedelics (50:27)What were the Eleusinian mysteries? (53:23)Links and references:Psychedelic WisdomBetty Eisner- "Set, Setting, and Matrix"Stephen JenkinsonAnn ShulginThe Way of the Psychonaut- Mariavittoria's interviewMariavittoria's previous episode on MBHP: Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Want the full transcript and episode videos? Join our Tribe!Have a Healing Story to Share?We'd love to hear from you on political and health issues, and are currently soliciting stories from individuals, couples, and families who would like to share their healing stories with psychedelics.Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

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PART 2- Picking up where we left off, I continue the discussion with my daughter about psychedelic medicine and its place in our lives. This week, Evacheska has the opportunity to ask me more about my own experience and preferences. We talk about MDMA, LSD, Ketamine, Ayahuasca, and how I have used them in my life. Evacheska will be a reoccurring cohost for the show, and I am so excited to share this space with her.

-Part one of this episode available here-

The founder of Temple Sotto Luce, a community project designed to be a gateway to consciousness expansion and a higher state of being through the use of both traditional methods and approaches, and more esoteric tools, Evacheska is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation facilitator, Integrative Coach, Trauma and Somatics Practitioner, certified in Psych-K®, and is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at CUNY, studying yogic philosophy and the power of plant medicines. She has also recently returned from Peru where she studied with the Ayahuasca Foundation.

Evacheska has dedicated her life’s work and energy to creating and holding space for healing and expansion. She leverages her unique background abilities to create distinctive experiences focused on supporting each participant’s internal work. Hear her unique perspective in this week’s new episode and the conclusion to a two-part discussion between father and daughter.

Show notes:

Examples of experiences with Ayahuasca & LSD (0:00)

Can you function in the normal world under the influence of ayahuasca? (4:15)

Why you shouldn’t look in a mirror (7:21)

Signs that ayahuasca may not be for you (11:30)

Consider the intention behind taking psychedelic medicine (12:15)

Possible unpleasant side effects (14:11)

If you regurgitate, does your body tell you it’s poison? (15:38)

George Bach’s fighting therapy (17:23)

Why LSD & MDMA are the best option (19:38)

Where exactly is your consciousness seated? (27:33)

Why MDMA may not be for you (29:30)

Is amphetamine (MDMA) addictive? (33:27)

Why ketamine is not a psychedelic and why it may not be for you (35:45)

What’s the difference between an entheogen and a psychedelic experience? (39:09)

Call to Action For Stories (46:16)

Links and references:

In Conversation with Evacheska DeAngelis PART 1

Psychedelic Wisdom

Temple Sotto Luce

The Sage Institute

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Show Notes:

How did Evacheska go from being an executive in the fashion world to an integrative counselor in the psychedelic world? (1:22)

What was it like on the trip to Peru? (4:29)

It’s difficult for the average person to figure out which places offering psychedelic experiences in Peru, Jamaica, or Costa Rica are real and which ones are trying to make a quick buck. What did you do to ensure that the place you were visiting was righteous? (5:40)

Why did Evacheska decide on Ayahuasca as opposed to taking LSD experiences or a series of psilocybin experiences? (10:38)

Are the ceremonies and the setting around the psychedelic medicine as important or more important than the medicine itself? (13:08)

What’s the difference (approach, cultural, medicinal) between opioid prescriptions in American culture and psychedelic ceremonies? (13:50)

Why do I need to go to the Peruvian jungle to have a ceremony? Why can’t I have the same experience in my own neighborhood? (15:40)

How does Evacheska use sound to open neural pathways and have a psychedelic journey, even without psychedelics? (17:46)

How does a strong dose of psilocybin compare to an Ayahuasca experience? (21:14)

What are the downsides of taking Ayahuasca? (24:15)

Considering that Roland Griffith’s research showed that a one-time dose of psilocybin still had an effect on depression patients after a year, what’s the advantage of taking Ayahuasca three times a week for an entire month? (25:57)

Could you imagine a future where people trained in LSD therapy or psilocybin therapy might prescribe taking those three times a week or a month? (27:37)

What happens in an integration session? (29:03)

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It is always fascinating to hear an artist's tale. This one is no different. Our guest, Kevin Barron, is one of the world’s leading and prolific LSD blotter artists. His story is full of twists and turns, from working with the Rolling Stones to opening a cooking school in Greece, a federal sting operation, and the art he has created along the way.

Kevin Barron experienced psychedelics for the first time at 17, and his perception of the world was changed forever. "As a budding artist, the whole experience was just this opening of perception. [He] was starting to look at things for the first time."

While his initial careers were not in fine arts, he eventually found his way back to it. Through his journey Kevin worked for Island Records, basically discovered Cat Stevens, dabbled in the wine industry, and opened a cooking school in Greece; but it was in the late 80s when he found himself in San Francisco and returning to his artisan roots.

Kevin was introduced to "Blotter Art", and immediately knew this was what he wanted to do. His first design known as the Holy Grail was met with huge success. Kevin then embarked on a widely successful, albeit tempestuous, career making LSD blotter art which ended in an arrest and lifetime ban from the U.S.A.

Now Kevin is back creating new art and selling them as NFTs but in a new, revolutionary, way. Intrigued? Hear all about it in this week's new episode.

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Conversations with old friends warm the soul. This week my heart is full as I found myself catching up with my dear friend Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld and reminiscing about his "firsts" with mind-altering substances. We go back 57 years to hear about his experiences and journey with these substances, and how they changed the course of his life.

Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld is a psychiatrist, author, lecturer, and popular underground newspaper columnist. He got his medical degree at the University of Miami School of Medicine, interned at Herrick Memorial Hospital (Berkeley, CA), and got his Master of Public Health from Yale University. While he has made a name for himself in the field of Psychology, you might know him better as "Dr. Hip". Dr. Eugene Schoenfeld wrote the popular underground column "Ask Dr. Hip" where people could submit their questions about sexuality and drugs. The anti-censorship philosophy that inspired the awakening of an underground press in the 1960s allowed Schoenfeld the freedom to answer those forbidden questions. He quickly became a popular source of reliable, common-sense information. Schoenfeld published his column from 1967 to 1973 and again from 1978 to 1979 in the underground, as well as in various mainstream newspapers including the Chicago Sun Times, Tampa Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Francisco Examiner.

Schoenfeld was a pioneering radio personality on Bay Area stations in the 1970s, and subsequent talk show doctors credit him for being a trailblazer. I, myself, was deeply inspired by Eugene's work. He is quite famous, and quite well liked, in the Bay Area for bringing medical science to popular newspapers.

A true pioneer in advocating for the benefits of mind-altering medicine, Dr. Schoenfeld (AKA Dr. Hip) gets personal about his experiences with LSD and how his life has been enhanced in this week's new episode.

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In this week's episode, we bring you a thought-provoking discussion on the Psychedelic Renaissance. Our guest, historian and professor Erika Dyck, offers her perspective on where psychiatry and medical research intersect with psychedelic research. She also speaks about society's moral panic; what it means and what we should be doing about it.

Erika is a Professor and a Canada Research Chair in the History of Health & Social Justice at the University of Saskatchewan. She was introduced to us by a previous guest, Paul Gootenberg, and we are so glad he made the introduction. With over 20 years of research under her belt, Erika is not only an expert on the history of psychedelic research but is also plugged into its future. She is the author or co-author of several books, including Psychedelic Psychiatry (2008); A Culture’s Catalyst: Historical Encounters with Peyote and the Native American Church in Canada (2016); Psychedelic Prophets: The Letters of Aldous Huxley and Humphry Osmond (2018); and co-author of The Acid Room: the Psychedelic Trials and Tribulations of Hollywood Hospital (2022). She is also the guest editor of the Chacruna Series on women in the history of psychedelic plant medicines.

At the University of Saskatchewan, Erika teaches courses in the history of medicine and madness. She is particularly interested in making history inclusive and learning about people who have been written about but rarely listened to. Some of the community-engaged collaborations have created space for these discussions, see: https://madnesscanada.com/ and www.eugenicsarchive.ca.This has extended to work focused on the COVID-19 pandemic with the COVID-19 Community Archive.

Erika works to think about things in a global and interconnected way, bringing strong research and authentic passion to the topics she speaks on. Are you ready to think about the world in a different way? Join the discussion with Erika and me in this week's new episode.

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As a society, Americans are stressed out. Currently, we are facing perhaps the greatest uncertainty and stressors of our lifetime. Whenever we feel stressed out we suffer from not only anxiety and depression, but other health issues as well. Last week you heard cardiologist Dr. Christopher Davis, talking about the rise in heart conditions and the role stress has played. This week, in a very special extended episode, you will be hearing more about the root cause of many of our societal health problems – stress – from an expert on the subject.

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Gabor Maté several times on Mind Body Health & Politics. Dr. Maté is a bestselling author of four books published in over thirty language and an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. His book on addiction, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction.

Rather than offering quick-fix solutions to these complex issues, Dr. Maté weaves together scientific research, case histories, and his own insights and experience to present a broad perspective that enlightens and empowers people to promote their own healing and that of those around them. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction, and the Civic Merit Award from his hometown, Vancouver. He is also an expert on trauma, chemical dependence, and the broader topic of today’s program: stress and the mind-body connection.

In the first part of this episode we look at stress and addiction, while the second part focuses on a less obvious manifestation of stress and disease- the proliferation of diagnoses of ADHD.

Do we live in a toxic culture? Are we making ourselves sick? Dr. Gabor Maté answers these questions and more in this week's new episode.

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Did you know that a staggering 80 percent of the U.S. population has either low or moderate cardiovascular health? That means just one in five people have a heart that’s in excellent shape, according to a new study by the American Heart Association. While these numbers are cause for concern, our guest this week is an Interventional Cardiologist and is here to tell you what you need to do to keep a healthy heart.

In this episode, we welcomed Dr. Christopher Davis to the show. Dr. Davis practices Cardiology and Functional Medicine at Manatee Cardiovascular Wellness Institute and Reveal Vitality, where he is the founder and CEO. In his practice he incorporates nutrition, hormone balance, fitness, and permanent weight control. His board certifications are in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and interventional cardiology. Other specialties of practice include nutrition, fitness, and functional medicine.

Dr. Davis has always been passionate about providing top-notch care and compassion to his clients. His achievements and training are a reflection of his pursuit of excellence in the treatment of chronic illnesses and performance enhancement. Dr. Davis trained at the prestigious Johns Hopkins/Sinai Hospital for his Internal Medicine residency. During his training, he was recognized and honored for his incredible talent and commitment to patient care by being bestowed the honor of Chief Medical Resident at Johns Hopkins/Sinai University. Dr. Davis continued his training in cardiology and interventional cardiology with fellowships at the renowned University of Virginia. He then pursued training in Functional Medicine, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement, and Regenerative Medicine to truly help his patients thrive and achieve reversal of disease and optimal vitality. This approach has earned Dr. Davis an outstanding reputation in the medical community and with his patients.

Dr. Davis breaks down heart health and the need for a healthy lifestyle in a way that is both approachable and applicable to every day living. Learn all about it in this week's new episode.

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This week I am pleased to welcome Dr. William Courtney back to the program along with his wife Kristen Courtney for a second part to their interview.

Dr. Courtney's area of special interest is in the dietary uses of cannabis to which he considers as a conditionally essential nutrient in the diet of individuals of 40 years and older, and Kristen brings a decade of personal experience and research to the area of whole plant use for prevention and treatment.

In research, Dr. Courtney has presented on high dose non-psychoactive dietary uses at Cannabis Therapeutics in Rhode Island (April 2010), the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn (June 2010), the Institute for Advanced Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (November 2010), and the International Cannabinoid Research Society conference in Chicago (July 2011).

Kristen has presented her case study and research to the International Cannabinoid Research Society (ICRS), the International Cannabis As Medicine Society, in Bonn, Germany (on the Endocannabinoid System), in Israel at the Institute for Advanced Studies and the Israel Science Foundation, and at the International Cannabis As Medicine conference in Germany. She is heading up the experimental research design department in Ettelbruck, Luxembourg, working with the Association Luxembourgeoise des Methodes Preventives. Kristen is also reporting for Shaughnessy: The Journal of Cannabis In Clinical Practice.

From personal experience stems Kristen's healing story is a powerful motivator. She has used fresh cannabis leaf to put her Systemic Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Endometriosis, and numerous other conditions into a sustained remission. With 14 surgeries and 4 years of bed rest she has empathy as well as knowledge that has arisen from her education in statistics and research design, which helps her bridge the gap between patients, physicians, and researchers.

Dr. Courtney and Kristen co-founded Cannabis International, which is working to reverse the United Nation’s Convention One Treaty in order to allow people access to cannabis worldwide, and currently reside in the Commonwealth of Dominica, where they run the Nature Isle Sanctuary- offering consultations with individuals suffering from Endogenous Cannabinoid System deficiencies. Want to learn more about what they do? Check out their video on juicing raw cannabis.

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Paul is a professor of history and sociology at Stony Brook University (New York). Originally trained as an interdisciplinary Latin Americanist at Oxford University and the University of Chicago, his career now mostly focuses on drug and global commodity history.

Outside of the university, Paul has chaired various programs at the Social Science Research Council in Brooklyn including the Drugs, Security, and Democracy program; and is the General Editor for The Oxford Handbook of Global Drug History (recently published by Oxford University Press). He currently is the president of the Alcohol and Drugs History Society (2021-2023).

He has published three books on cocaine; Andean Cocaine: The Making of a Global Drug (UNC, 2008), Cocaine: Global Histories (Routledge, 1999), and with Liliana M. Dávalos, The Origins of Cocaine: Peasant Colonization and Failed Dedevelopment in the Amazon Andes (Routledge, 2018).

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This week I am pleased to welcome Dr. William Courtney to the program, joining us from the middle of the rainforest, nonetheless.

With an extensive medical education and having been immersed in the experiences of thousands of patients who use raw cannabis daily, Dr. Courtney’s area of special interest is in the dietary uses of cannabis- which he considers a conditionally essential nutrient in the diet of individuals.

Dr. William Courtney began with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of Michigan, he received his Doctor of Medicine from Wayne State University, Interned for Residency in Psychiatry at California Pacific Medical Center, and then went on to earn his Post Doctorate in Forensic Examination and Forensic Medicine. Now, he is a member of the American Academy of Cannabinoid Medicine, the International Cannabinoid Research Society, the International Association of Cannabis as Medicine, and the Society of Clinical Cannabis. Dr. Courtney has also been teaching Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses in clinical cannabis.

One of the world's foremost pioneers in cannabis research, Dr. Courtney seeks to consolidate the science regarding the essential nature of the phytocannabinoid contributions to health maintenance and restoration. Some notable achievements in his career are he has presented on high dose non-psychoactive dietary uses at Cannabis Therapeutics in Rhode Island in April 2010, the Institute of Molecular Psychiatry at the University of Bonn in June 2010, the Institute for Advanced Studies at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in November 2010, the International Cannabinoid Research Society conference in Chicago in July 2011, and is the father of AC/DC (Alternative Cannabinoid Dietary Cannabis), a high CBD content cultivar from Cannatonic seeds acquired during a visit to Barcelona, Spain from Resin Seeds.

Dr. Courtney owns Cannabis International and currently resides in the Commonwealth of Dominica, where he runs the Nature Isle Sanctuary- offering consultations with individuals suffering from Endogenous Cannabinoid System deficiencies. His work now primarily focuses on consultations and strain development/ advice.

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This week I am pleased to welcome renowned musician Gary Muszysnki to the program.

Gary Muszynski is a percussionist, composer, bandleader, and leadership coach who creates original music that combines jazz, world, and classical music. He plays a wide variety of world percussion, including handpan, berimbau, pandeiro, surdo, udu, mbira, conga, bongo, and cajon. He has performed at venues such as SF Jazz (with Bobby McFerrin), the Freight and Salvage in Berkeley, CA, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville and at TEDxBerkeley.

Gary received an artist’s grant to study Brazilian folkloric and popular music at the Carlos Gomez Conservatory in Belem, Para (Brazil) at the mouth of the Amazon through the Partners of the Americas in 1989. It was at that time that he also met Martinho da Villa, one of Brazil's most important samba singers and composers, and began to study and parade with the Vila Isabel School of Samba in Rio de Janeiro, and then with Olodum in Salvador, Bahia in 2005.

Gary was one of the first percussionists to spread samba in the US, founding a samba school in the Midwest in 1987. He founded One World Music at that time, a non-profit performing arts and education organization, receiving funding from the Missouri Arts Council and the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission.

Currently residing in the SF Bay Area; Gary’s newest album is called Roots and Wings, featuring Sting’s pianist and arranger Frank Martin; Mark Summer, the former cellist and co-founder of the Turtle Island Quartet; Cuban jazz-piano legend, Omar Sosa, and Deepak Ram, North Indian bansuri flute master as well as many other musical luminaries. Roots & Wings won the top award at the Global Music Awards in 2021 and was then voted as one of the best CDs of 2021.

In addition to his career as a recording and performing artists, Gary has been brining musical experiences and thinking into organizations to further leadership, collaboration, and innovation for the past 30 years. He has reached more than 150,000 leaders and managers through organizational trainings and interactive conference keynotes on five continents and has worked with Apple, Disney, Google, and Xerox Parc among many other organizations. You can see his work through Orchestrating Excellence here.

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With training from the Harvard Mind/Body Medical Institute and over 25 years of clinical mental health and mind/body expertise, Heather Lee is truly passionate about guiding people into connection with their inner wisdom to promote health, healing, and hopefulness. In addition to being certified in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and skilled as a behavior change specialist, she is the past Director of Wellness Education at The University of Virginia Medical Center, is on the advisory board of Silo Wellness, and runs her company Medicine Women Retreats.

As a psychedelic psychotherapist, speaker, consultant, and transformational travel facilitator, Heather has dedicated her career to helping people learn how to skillfully navigate stress, anxiety, challenging life transitions, and relationships. One of Heather’s many areas of expertise is woman’s health, and her Medicine Woman Retreats are the first psilocybin retreats designed exclusively for women; offering exclusive nature immersion and plant medicine experiences around the world. Other signature topics are psychedelics for self-care, psilocybin for eco-anxiety, and psilocybin in cancer care- something she has first-hand experience with.

In the same week, Heather received her certification as a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, received a diagnosis of breast cancer, and received a call from Silo Wellness to help develop cancer and end of life retreats. In Heather’s own words, “sometimes the alignment and synchronicity of everything shines so bright.” As if the universe came together, she sees her cancer as an opportunity to deepen her connection with the use of psilocybin for navigating disease. Heather uses her experience as a psychotherapist as well as her journey to cultivate calm and consciousness for one’s cancer journey.

Our first featured guest in the series “Healing Stories of Psychedelics”, Heather A. Lee is both a healer and finding healing.

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There is much talk these days about a psychedelic renaissance taking place – both in terms of scientific research, as well as personal experimentation all over the world. Part of this renaissance has included greater awareness and emphasis on the integration component, or what one does afterward with the information/healing they obtain on their psychedelic journey.

I was honored to be a part of a panel discussion organized by my dear friend Lorna Li, whom I met years ago at Wilbur Hot Springs. Lorna did an amazing job with this year's Plant Spirit Summit.

The discussion focused on the different approaches of psychedelic psychotherapy versus coaching. I and the other panel participants are particularly concerned to answer this question: What can we do to create an inclusive, responsible, and ethical Psychedelic Renaissance?

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This week I interview Dr. Laura McGuire (they/them or she/her) - an internationally recognized consultant, survivor, researcher, seminarian, and author of the book Creating Cultures of Consent (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021). They were named as one of the 2022 Champions of Pride by the Advocate Magazine and are regularly featured in media outlets for their expertise and approachability.

Dr. Laura is also the founder of The National Center for Equity and Agency. In 2019 they created the world's first certification in trauma-informed care for legal professionals and in 2021 expanded it to include the insurance industry. They currently teach at both Widener and Dominican University and work as a trainer, mediation advisor, and author.

Please be sure to check out their website: www.drlauramcguire.com/ and follow them on Instagram at: www.instagram.com/drlauramcguire/?hl=en

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This week I interview Tom Weidlinger – a writer and filmmaker who has been writing, directing and producing documentaries for 35 years. His most recent film, The Restless Hungarian, is his most personal project, and will be featured at the upcoming Mendocino Film Festival on June 3.

In this searingly honest melding of the personal and historical Weidlinger uncovers the epic story of four generations. Central to the story is Tom’s father, Paul Weidlinger, a brilliant structural engineer who fled Europe just ahead of the Holocaust—but who kept secret, even from his children, the fact that he was a Jew.

The film unfolds in 1920s and ‘30s Budapest, Zurich, London, Paris, La Paz (Bolivia), then 1940s, ‘50s and ‘60s Chicago and New York, as Weidlinger traces his famous father’s account of his fantastical life. Attempting to untangle truth from fiction, he uncovers a hidden story and lays bare the scars from his family’s experience of war, displacement, and immigration.

Combining documentary material with recreated scenes from his own childhood, the filmmaker discovers how family tragedies, psychosis and suicide, are manifestations of historical trauma passed on from one generation to the next. Weidlinger’s profoundly thoughtful quest makes meaning from his family’s suffering, resulting in a healing work that breaks the cycle of intergenerational trauma.

The Restless Hungarian’s trajectory intersects with the rise of Modern Architecture, the Holocaust, the Hungarian Jewish Diaspora, and the nuclear arms race.

Twenty-one of Weidingers's previous films have been broadcast on public television. Many have won festival and industry awards and all remain in distribution. For detailed information, including trailers, please visit http://moiraproductions.com/. The documentary is also available in book form under the title The Restless Hungarian: Modernism, Madness, and the American Dream.

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This week I have the pleasure of speaking with Paulita Pappel – a Madrid/Berlin-based filmmaker and feminist pornographer. Paulita works as a producer, director and intimacy coordinator, and is an advocate for a sex-positive, consent-based culture.
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After studying comparative literature in Berlin, Paulita decided to follow her passion for both cinema and sexuality. She started working as an adult performer, and soon explored many different roles. Her knowledge of film counts now over 10 years of experience balancing work between the mainstream film and adult film industry. She has worked as producer, director, casting director, scriptwriter and performer. She has produced feature-length films that were shown and awarded internationally in festivals and she has produced, directed and performed many short films.
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She is the co-founder of Lustery, a platform dedicated to the sex lives of real-life couples from around the world. She is one half of HardWerk, an independent studio creating cinematic hardcore, where she directs and produces. Since 2013 she has been a curator for the Pornfilmfestival Berlin. She also works as an intimacy coordinator for mainstream productions.
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Our conversation will focus on her work challenging societal taboos, removing the stigma around sex and pleasure, and fostering a sex-positive consent culture, in which people are free to express themselves sexually within the boundaries of mutual consent.

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Carlos has been studying the science of ayahuasca and plant medicine in the Amazon Rainforest since 2003. He currently works as the program director for the Ayahuasca Foundation, a non-profit organization he began in 2009 based out of Iquitos, Peru. He organizes healing retreats and educational courses with authentic indigenous healers, called curanderos, to help people in need of healing anything from depression to cancer or who are interested in learning the indigenous healing traditions of the Amazon Rainforest.

In 2017 Carlos opened the Riosbo Ayahuasca Research Center. The research there was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry demonstrating that attending an ayahuasca retreat can produce epigenetic changes and significantly reduce depression and anxiety. Research continues at the center and will now include studying chronic pain, PTSD, and changes to the gut biome.

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In this week's program, I continue my series on Sexual Medicine in a conversation with Dr. Stella Resnick – Clinical Psychologist, Gestalt therapist, certified sex therapist and developer of the Embodied Relational Sex Therapy (ERST) process and therapist training.

Stella's holistic approach recognizes sexual health, and capacity for pleasure and play as intertwined with self-development throughout life, and as basic elements in emotional, physical, and relational health and happiness.

She developed this "full-spectrum" approach over many years of experience. It is a body-based, present-centered, experiential method for individuals and couples, centered on personal and relational healing and growth and focused on enhancing the capacity to enjoy greater physical, emotional and sexual pleasure. The process involves looking into early programming, not as an intellectual process of mere understanding but as felt-sense memories that are locked in the body through chronic physical tension, withheld breathing, and unresolved old emotions that trigger programmed reactions to stress.

Through breath and body awareness, in the present moment, we learn to become more mindful and self-aware in the moment. By breathing into painful emotions and experimenting with new ways to respond in emotionally fraught situations, we can access inner resources that we may not even know we have, and call forth more loving and pleasurable responses from others.

Stella believes this is especially true in romantic and sexual relationships, viewing relational and sexual problems are as opportunities to heal from early emotional pain and shame, to broaden the ability to love and be loved, and to share emotional and sexual pleasure with a lover or mate.

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Dear Neighbors,

In this week's program, I speak with Sheryn Hildebrand about the serious problem of child sex trafficking in Mendocino County. As painful as it may be to hear her words, we must listen. In this gut-wrenching interview, we will hear about how children in Mendocino county California are courted, drugged, groomed, and put out to the public as child prostitutes. They are coerced, psychologically and physically abused, extorted, and blackmailed, in order to keep them in virtual captivity.

Authorities are understaffed and the public is so horrified, by the topic itself, that it does not receive the public outcry needed.

Sheryn Hildebrand is the Director of the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program in Lake & Mendocino County. Sheryn has served as director for 21 years and also works with neighboring counties (Lake, Humboldt, Del Norte) facilitating Child Abuse Prevention opportunities. She sits on both Mendocino and Lake Counties' child abuse prevention councils as well as participates at the state level on the critical incidents citizen review panel (CRP). Learn more at the California CASA website.

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) is a trained volunteer appointed by a judicial officer to provide advocacy for a child who is under the jurisdiction of the courts due to abuse or neglect. The CASA serves as the “eyes and ears” of the judge for children in foster care. Volunteers spend time with children, monitor needed services, and provide child-focused recommendations to the court based on the best interest of the children they serve.

From March 28 - 31, the iEmpathize organization will be featuring an exhibit called The Apathy Effect at the Ukiah Conference Center (200 S. School St., Ukiah, CA). The purpose of the iEmphathize organization is to help communities ignite empathy to end childhood exploitation.

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On this week's episode we talk with Deborah Bowes, a licensed Feldenkrais instructor, on how she uses this method to bring about healing and growth in her life and the lives of her clients.

She works with people with ongoing, complex medical conditions to foster hope and improve function. Her expertise and experience includes Feldenkrais Method, Chi Kung, Tai Chi, and other awareness based movement and health practices. She co-founded this group private practice in 1988. They specialize in teaching Feldenkrais Method and work with individuals who would like to improve how they move and function. She has success with people who have not been helped by more traditional therapy, who may have been injured by a health care provider, people dealing with pain, people with brain injuries, and people with complex health needs or conditions.

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On this week's episode we talk with Diana Richardson on the power of mindful sex.
Diana Richardson is known as the pioneer of the Slow Sex movement and, along with her partner, Michael Richardson, is the creator of the life-changing weeklong Making Love Retreat, which they have been offering in Europe since 1995. She wrote her first book in 1996, published as The Love Keys in 1999, and then later republished as The Heart of Tantric Sex, a best seller. Since then has written a further 7 books on the tantric approach to love and sex. These are translated into German, Spanish, French, with certain books translated in Russian, Korean, Czech, and Estonian.

Diana is now based in Switzerland with Michael, where they continue to guide couples in the art of slow, conscious sex in their highly successful Making Love Retreats. For more information about their backgrounds, retreats, books, please visit their websites:
www.livinglove.com or www.love4couples.com

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Based out of New York, Evacheska is the founder of Temple Sotto Luce, a community project designed to be a gateway to a higher state of being through the use of both traditional methods and approaches, and more esoteric tools. Evacheska is a former Executive Leader, having spent over a decade working in corporate America where she held positions as Vice President of Marketing and Strategy and Executive Director at multi-million-dollar businesses such as Avon, Rodan + Fields, Stella & Dot, and TYRA Beauty. In 2019, she decided to make a career shift to be in service of others and return to school to expand her expertise and skill set. Since then, Evacheska has dedicated her life’s work and energy to creating and holding space for healing and expansion. She leverages her unique background abilities to create distinctive experiences focused on supporting each participant’s internal work. She is a certified Mindfulness and Meditation facilitator, Integrative Coach, and Trauma and Somatics Practitioner, and is also certified in Psych-K®. She is currently pursuing a degree in psychology at CUNY, studying yogic philosophy, and studying the power of plant medicines, of which she has worked with many, both in her personal work and work with others. She recently returned from a month in Peru where she studied with the Ayahuasca Foundation. Evacheska has taken her unique background and personal passions and applied it to a myriad of different areas of work. She currently leads seminars and workshops on Quantum Time Manifestation, Harnessing Personal Power, and leads Mindfulness Meditation and Medicine Music & Movement events. She also offers one-on-one guidance through Zoom and in-person sessions for deeper work, and facilitates customized group retreats.

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On this week's episode we talk with the wonderful Faith Jones, a summa cum laude graduate from Georgetown and who was raised in the "Children of God" cult, about her book "Sex Cult Nun".

Faith was raised in and escaped from the infamous cult, the Children of God. It was founded by her paternal grandfather. The group was notorious for its radical practices, which required members to become full-time missionaries, forgo income and formal education, and submit to the “Law of Love,” a doctrine which encouraged spouse sharing and (for a time) sexual relations with children, and used female disciples as sex “bait” to gain followers and supporters.

"I was able to emancipate myself at 23 and, through self-taught study, was later accepted into Berkeley Law school. I give an intimate description of life inside a secretive cult, and most importantly, the framework of how to set oneself free of mental and spiritual manipulation in hopes of helping others stand up for themselves.” Faith says.

"Both inspiring and disturbing, Sex Cult Nun unravels Jones’ complicated upbringing,
the trauma she endured as a result and her path to liberation" - TIME Magazine

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On this week's episode, we talk with Maeve Moon - a former sex worker turned trauma recovery coach as she shares with us her story of recovery and victory.

Maeve goes through her heartbreaking yet harrowing journey as a young woman in the sex industry, and what it took for her to find her true self and escape. She is now using her story to enlighten other women in the industry, and to provide hope.

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"The woman who can create her own job is the woman who will win fame and fortune." – Amelia Earhart

Though she isn't a professional therapist, Maggie McNeill's decades of studying human sexuality from very close up has given her a remarkable degree of insight into sexuality, relationships, and many other related topics; people have therefore long sought out her advice on such topics.

Maggie McNeill was a librarian in suburban New Orleans, but after divorce economic necessity spurred her to take up sex work; from 1997 to 2006 she worked first as a stripper, then as a call girl and madam. She eventually married her favorite client, retired, and moved to a ranch in the rural Upper South. There she writes a daily blog called “The Honest Courtesan” which examines the realities, myths, history, lore, science, philosophy, art, and every other aspect of prostitution; she also reports sex work news, critiques the way her profession is treated in the media and by governments, and is frequently consulted by academics and journalists as an expert on the subject.

"The Honest Courtesan" is quite possibly the largest single-author blog on the internet, containing over 3500 essays written over the past decade. You can find her book "Ask Maggie" and its subsequent volumes on amazon, and please be sure to follow her on twitter.

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Despite the increasing visibility of LGBTQ people in American culture, our understanding of bisexuality remains superficial, at best. Our guest, Ritch Savin-Williams PhD provides an important new understanding of bisexuality as an orientation, behavior, and identity in his book titled, "Bi". Bi shows us that bisexuality is seen and embraced as a valid sexual identity more than ever before, giving us timely and much-needed insight into the complex, fascinating experiences of bisexual youth themselves.

This episode features Professor Emeritus Ritch Savin-Williams. Savin-Williams teaches developmental psychology at Cornell University and specializes in gay, lesbian, and bisexual research.

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On this next episode of Mind, Body, Health, and Politics I speak with the team from the Grass Roots Institute. We will hear from the insightful Peter McNamee, Carrie Durkee, and Jim Tarbell.

The Grassroots Institute: A progressive solutions group for the Common Good (GRI) is confronting our deteriorating political, economic and environmental systems. GRI looks at the systemic problems created by wealthy corporate elites instituting public policies benefiting their own good rather than the common good. GRI also promotes citizen-based solutions that are creating a vibrant future.

GRI offers two free study guides. One for the Grassroots Solutions and Corporate Power course, and the other for the Building the Economy for the Common Good course. Their study guides educate concerned citizens on corporations, democracy and building an economy for our common good. The solutions to our sustainable future are already at work in our communities. We just have to recognize them, bring them together and support them.

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On today's episode I speak with author, Tibetan Lama, Elder, and Polymath Mike Crowley.

Mike began studying Buddhism with a Tibetan lama in 1966, becoming an upasaka of the Kagyud lineage in 1970. In order to augment his Buddhist studies, he acquainted himself with Sanskrit, Tibetan and Mandarin Chinese. Mike has lectured at the Jagellonian University, Cracow, the Museum of Asia and the Pacific, Warsaw, the California Institute for Integral Studies, San Francisco, and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work has been published in Fortean Studies, Time & Mind, the Journal of Archeology, Consciousness and Culture, Psychedelic American, and Psychedelic Press UK.

He is the author of, "Secret Drugs of Buddhism". Drawing on a wide range of disciplines (including pharmacology, iconography, botany, and scriptural sources), this book calls attention to the central role which psychedelics played in Indian religions, tracing their history from the soma of the Vedic period to amrita, the sacramental drink of Vajrayana Buddhism.

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Sumati has been a personal and spiritual growth junkie her entire life. Her training includes having attended over 40 workshops with the Human Awareness Institute, also known as HAI, is a trained Zegg Forum Facilitator and part of the Network for a New Culture, has studied Non-Violent Communication (or NVC) with Marshall Rosenberg, has been practicing 12-step work in the areas of relationship and addiction since 1985, is a trained PSYCH-K Facilitator (a process used to remove limiting beliefs), has a Yoga & Meditation teacher certification through the Sivananda school, and has studied sacred sexuality with Evalena Rose, Baba Dez and other prominent teachers.

Sumati Sparks’ first name was given to her by the great living saint, Amma (Mata Amritananda Mayi). Sumati means pure essence. She is a relationship coach with a life PhD! Since 2000, she has been coaching people in the areas of relationship and sexuality and now specializes in helping people create successful open relationships.

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Veronica Monet is an American author and activist for sex worker rights. Her early activism focused on debunking stereotypes about sex workers and advocating for the decriminalization of all sex work.

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Dear Neighbors,

We want to end this year thanking you, our listeners, and by wrapping up with some of our most cherished moments from the podcast. With the Confessions series a huge hit with all of you, we wanted to pull key moments to look back on. We also have sections from Dean Edell, Dennis McKenna, Tim Scully, and more. You will find the links to all of the full episodes in the show notes of tomorrows broadcast.

Again, it has been a wonderful year with all of you. We have even more stimulating and insightful conversations on the horizon for 2022. If this show has impacted you in any way, please be sure to share with you loved ones. If you have any questions or comments please reach out to us - we would love to hear from you.

Tally Ho!

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Host Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews multiple award-winning, best-selling author and educator, Janet Hardy, on her latest of 12 books, entitled The Ethical Slut, which has presently sold over 200,000 copies.
Janet Hardy is a political activist championing the cause of positive sexual attitudes towards all forms of solo and consensual sexual behavior.

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Letha Hadady is one of the nation's leading experts on natural Chinese remedies and author of books on health and beauty. She has lead stress management workshops and acted as natural product consultant for Sony Entertainment Inc., Dreyfus, Ogilvy & Mather, and Consumer Eyes, Inc. in New York.

In 1980 Letha became involved with novelist Michael Foster and librarian and poet Barbara Foster in a work-oriented menage a trois of writers. Together they researched and the Fosters wrote two biographies of Alexandra David-Neel: Forbidden Journey and The Secret Lives of Alexandra David-Neel. Their book Three in Love: Menages a Trois from Ancient to Modern Times has been called "racy and engaging" by Entertainment Weekly. The three have been featured in television and radio interviews and a European documentary "Menage a Trois" in 2008 by Catherina Klusemann. She has also authored "Tea for Three: The Other Woman by Letha Hadady", as well as co-authored "Outlaws of Love: A History of Forbidden Desire". Please be sure to check out her website for more info at: www.asianhealthsecrets.com.

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Link to the Flash Technique Video: https://youtu.be/f-QNuzTdJVY

Lewis is a licensed psychologist and has been practicing in San Francisco and Marin County for over 40 years. His approach to therapy is interactive and he seeks to understand his clients’ struggles and collaboratively develop a process to resolve their difficulties.

Currently, his area of specialization is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). EMDR is an effective and well researched therapy originally developed for the treatment of the aftereffects of severe trauma such as combat, physical and sexual abuse, sexual assault, traffic accidents and natural disasters.

In 2017, he assisted Philip Manfield, Ph.D. in the development of a revolutionary new technique, the Flash Technique, which combined with EMDR allows for the rapid and painless resolution of traumatic memories. EMDR and Flash are also successful in effectively treating anxiety, depression, avoidance, phobias and panic. These symptoms can arise either from major trauma or simply from the ordinary strains of growing up in a family and other challenges of life.

In addition, he has written a popular book, Imaginary Crimes, that addresses why some of us sabotage ourselves and prevent ourselves from being happy and successful.

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Affectionately dubbed "Her Deepness", by The New Yorker magazine, Dr. Sylvia Earle, one of the world’s top experts on ocean science and conservation, shares her inspiring wisdom in NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC OCEAN: A GLOBAL ODESSY showcasing how the ocean--with its forces, habitats, creatures, and global influence--has a tremendous impact on our everyday lives.

President & Chairman of Mission Blue, Dr. Earl describes the evolution, beauty, and impact of our ocean, the challenges it faces, such as climate change, plastic, and overfishing, and the myriad ways we can help protect it. With a special focus on new discoveries in the deepest reaches of the ocean, Dr. Earle’s book reveals wonders that few have witnessed before and broadens our understanding of this essential realm of life on Earth.

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For this week's episode we are speaking with Mike Jay, author of "Mescaline: A Global History of the First Psychedelic".

He writes regularly for the London Review of Books (free access long reads on madness and revolution, Edgar Allan Poe, memory, and hallucinations), the Wall Street Journal and the Literary Review (free access piece on Philip K. Dick).

Mike Jay has written widely on the history of science and medicine, and particularly on the discovery of psychoactive drugs during the 18th and 19th centuries. His books on the subject include Emperors of Dreams: drugs in the nineteenth century (2000, revised edition 2011) and most recently High Society: mind-altering drugs in history and culture (2010), which accompanied the exhibition he curated at Wellcome Collection in London. The Atmosphere of Heaven is also the third book in his series of biographical narratives of political reformers in 1790s Britain. It follows The Air Loom Gang (2003, revised edition forthcoming 2012) and The Unfortunate Colonel Despard (2004).

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For this week's episode we are featuring a wonderful conversation with The Maudsley Learning Podcast. (Be sure to check out their podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/maudsley-learning-podcast-psychiatry-psychotherapy/id1466932169)

Maudsley Learning is part of one of the world’s most renowned mental healthcare organisations and unifies education. Their mission is to produce the highest quality mental health and well-being education and training products. They design and deliver courses to meet the continuing professional development needs of individual professionals in the healthcare workforce, but also to many others including colleagues in social services, policing, schools and in the private sector.
We are discussing MDMA, Psychedelics & the Therapeutic Milleu on this week's show

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This week I am interviewing Mr. Sanjay Singhal - entrepreneur and founder of the Nikean Project.
Sanjay is a Canadian tech entrepreneur and author best known for founding and selling Audiobooks.com. He created the 500 Startups Canada fund in 2016 and actively remains an ongoing investor in over 20 startups. His memoir “Zero to Tesla,” published in 2018, chronicles the whole messy journey. He launched the Nikean Foundation in 2019 to fund mental health research, focusing on novel psychedelic therapies to treat mental disorders including anorexia, depression, and PTSD. The Nikean Foundation currently funds research trials around the world, with a focus on developing knowledge and infrastructure in Canada.

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This week we are flipping the script and asking some hard hitting questions with our Host; Dr. Richard Louis Miller.

Our Producer - Charlie Deist, along with our Audio Engineer - David Springer, will be addressing some questions from our listeners on this weeks episode.

We love hearing from you! So please email us any questions you may have and we will do our best to bring those up in a future episode!

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Dr. David L. Geisinger, is the 82-year-old author of Kicking It: The New Way to Stop Smoking and Permanently Going The Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love, written with his life partner, Dr. Lonnie Barbach.

Dr. Howard I. Levene – 85-year-old former Commander and medical officer in the U.S. Navy – is founder of Diabasis House, and a faculty member at the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco and Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Medical School.

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On this Encore I welcome Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.

Dr. Wallace "J" Nichols — called a “Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine, “a visionary" by Outside Magazine, a "water warrior" by AQUATICS International, a "friend of the sea" by Experience Life Magazine, and "the godfather of water" by Irish Life Health and Santa Cruz Waves Magazine — is an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, and fun-loving Dad. He also likes turtles (a lot).

Dr. Nichols collaborates tirelessly to create the new story of water and share it with the world. This story includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.

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This week we speak with Jeremy Narby, author and anthropologist, on botanics and biology and their applications in psychedelic therapy. He has written several books including "Plant Teachers" and "The Cosmic Snake" as well as co-authored "The Psychotropic Mind".

Jeremy grew up in Canada and Switzerland, studied history at the University of Canterbury, receiving a doctorate in anthropology from Stanford University. Jeremy spent several years living with the Ashaninca tribe in the Peruvian Amazon, cataloging indigenous uses of rainforest resources.

Jeremy has worked since 1989 as Amazonian projects director for the Swiss non-profit Nouvelle Planète, backing projects for the self-determination of Amazonian indigenous peoples that involve land rights, primary education, village health, botanical knowledge, fish farms, tree nurseries, and other local initiatives.

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This week I pivot from my exploration of psychedelic medicines to a new discussion on racial justice with Brendan Kiely, author of the New York Bestseller All American Boys.

Brendan has also authored Tradition, The Last True Love Story, and The Gospel of Winter. His most recent book, and the topic of today's show, is The Other Talk: Reckoning with Our White Privilege. His work has been published in over a dozen languages, and has received the Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award, the Walter Dean Meyers Award, and ALA’s Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults.

A former high school teacher, he is now on the faculty of the Solstice MFA Program. He states that he watches too much basketball and reads too many books at the same time, but most importantly, he lives for and loves his wife and son.

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This week I continue my exploration of psychedelic medicines with Dr. Kile Ortigo, author of "Beyond The Narrow Life: A Guide For Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration".

Dr. Ortigo a licensed psychologist in California with over 14 years of clinical experience and a passion for applying psychological concepts and scientific principles to improving experiences of individuals seeking mental health care, psychotherapists, and others with a desire to improve their life course.

His clinical approach is integrative, collaborative, evidence-based and flexible to the needs and goals of the individuals with whom he works. He believe the therapeutic relationship is the key vehicle that can help people explore their innermost selves more freely and openly in order to make important shifts in their approach to life.

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This week we revisit a wonderful guest on my series "Confessions of the Psychedelic Elders" (please subscribe and review) with an old acquaintance (and neighbor of mine in Mendocino County) – Mariavittoria Mangini, PhD, FNP.

Mangini is the author of the forward for the newly released volume of Sasha Shulgin's pharmacology lectures: The Nature of Drugs, and has written extensively on the impact of psychedelic experiences in shaping the lives of her contemporaries. Her particular interest is in the history of women in this field. In addition to her personal confessions, she will be telling us about her upcoming doctoral class at the California Institute for Integral Studies this fall on women and psychedelics.

Mangini has also worked closely with many of the most distinguished investigators in this field and is a founder of the Women’s Visionary Council, a nonprofit organization that supports investigations into non-ordinary forms of consciousness and organizes gatherings of researchers, healers, artists, and activists whose work explores these states.

Her long history with the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic includes having been a barefoot patient, a lead clinician in the medical section, and the chair of the Board of Directors – all in the same lifetime. She has been a Family Nurse Midwife for 35 years, and was in primary care practice with Frank Lucido MD, one of the pioneers of the medical cannabis movement, for 25 years. Their practice was one of the first to implement the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996, the first state medical cannabis initiative.

She is Professor Emerita of Nursing at Holy Names University in Oakland. Her current project is the development of a Thanatology program for the study of death and dying.

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Susan Campbell, Ph.D. is a counselor and author of 12 books. When she was a professor at UMass Amherst in the 60’s and 70’s, she co-founded an alternative counseling and education center for university students seeking to integrate their psychedelic experiences and avoid bad trips and confusing after-effects.

The methods she pioneered then are still a major part of her practice today and are considered state-of-the art in psychedelic therapy. Susan trains coaches and therapists throughout the United States and Europe.

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Dale has been the state director of California NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) since 1987. He wrote his PhD dissertation at Stanford on Consumer Choice and FDA Drug Regulation.

He was one of the original co-authors of California's medical marijuana initiative, Prop. 215, in 1996, and has co-sponsored and lobbied for other drug reform measures. He has published original research on medical marijuana, the history of marijuana and drug prohibition, the economic benefits of legalization, marijuana and driving safety, cannabis vaporization, CBD, and drug urinalysis.

He is a founding member of the Drug Policy Forum of California.

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John Gilmore is a computer engineer, computer entrepreneur, civil libertarian, drug policy reformer, and philanthropist.

He has thirty years of experience in the computer industry, including applications programming, systems programming, language implementation, management, and investment. He was the fifth employee at Sun Microsystems, and contributed to hardware and software design and production. He co-designed the protocol that your phone or laptop uses every day to get when you connect to WiFi or Ethernet. He has contributed significantly to the worldwide free software movement, by writing many free programs, and co-founding Cygnus Support, a successful commercial free software company that is now part of IBM. He cofounded the "alt" subnet of the Usenet decentralized world forum to improve its free expression. He is a champion of civil liberties, a cofounder of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and a cypherpunk, an advocate for wide distribution of strong encryption systems, to provide privacy and security despite malevolent governments.

He has contributed several decades and more than $12 million to improving United States drug laws. He serves on the boards of the Marijuana Policy Project, which has enacted more than half of the adult-use and medical marijuana laws in the US; and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, which leads the psychedelic medicine movement, by running FDA-approved clinical trials to make MDMA (Ecstacy) into a legal prescription medicine for post-traumatic stress disorder.

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This week I continue the series with my old friend, Dr. Martin H. Goodman.

Marty graduated from Harvard with a BA in biology in 1971, before receiving his MD from the University of California at San Diego.

He worked at the Haight Ashbury Free Medical Clinic in the 1980s and volunteered taking care of people having "bad trips" at rock concerts under the auspices of their "rock medicine" section. Marty has been a life-long fighter for social justice, and is an advocate for educating the public in the scientific method, and using evidence-based reasoning when it comes to matters of medicine and science. He is also a mountaineer (often in remote desert regions), backpacker, river rafter, long-distance cyclist, and life-long environmentalist.

Marty is a self-described "iconoclast," who has rejected the politically correct tropes of both the "right" and of the "left". He first used LSD over 50 years ago. Always with a friend, and more often than not in an outdoors (often genuinely wilderness) environment.

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This week I continue my series of Confessions of the Psychedelic Elders (please subscribe and review) with an old acquaintance (and neighbor of mine in Mendocino County) – Mariavittoria Mangini, PhD, FNP.

Mangini is the author of the forward for the newly released volume of Sasha Shulgin's pharmacology lectures: The Nature of Drugs, and has written extensively on the impact of psychedelic experiences in shaping the lives of her contemporaries. Her particular interest is in the history of women in this field. In addition to her personal confessions, she will be telling us about her upcoming doctoral class at the California Institute for Integral Studies this fall on women and psychedelics.

Mangini has also worked closely with many of the most distinguished investigators in this field and is a founder of the Women’s Visionary Council, a nonprofit organization that supports investigations into non-ordinary forms of consciousness and organizes gatherings of researchers, healers, artists, and activists whose work explores these states.

Her long history with the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic includes having been a barefoot patient, a lead clinician in the medical section, and the chair of the Board of Directors – all in the same lifetime. She has been a Family Nurse Midwife for 35 years, and was in primary care practice with Frank Lucido MD, one of the pioneers of the medical cannabis movement, for 25 years. Their practice was one of the first to implement the California Compassionate Use Act of 1996, the first state medical cannabis initiative.

She is Professor Emerita of Nursing at Holy Names University in Oakland. Her current project is the development of a Thanatology program for the study of death and dying.

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This week, I take a break from the Confession of the Psychedelic Elders series to bring you an interview with my dear friend Rabbi Sydney Mintz. The topic of our conversation will be what it means to call oneself Jewish. We will also discuss how Judaism has shaped her identity as a human being, a mother, and a lesbian.

Rabbi Mintz (she/they) was ordained in 1997 by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City. She is the founder of the award-winning Late Shabbat Young Adult Program at Congregation Emanu-El where she has served as Rabbi for almost 25 years. She became a Senior Rabbinic Fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem after completing her fellowship in 2004 and serves on the National Board of Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice.

She is a graduate of Bend the Arc’s Selah Leadership Program, is a member of the U.S. State Department’s Working Group on Religion and Social Justice, and serves on Reimagine’s 360 Advisory Council.

In 2018, Rabbi Mintz’s one-woman show “You May Think I’m Funny, But It’s Not” premiered and sold out at the Marsh Theatre in San Francisco.

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Richard Elliot Doblin (born November 30, 1953) is an American drug activist and executive who is the founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).

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Join us today on another stimulating episode of Mind, Body, Health, and Politics!

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This morning we are flipping the script, as Philosopher Charles Bush solicits my own personal confessions as a psychedelic elder.

Don't miss my own story, as I officially join our growing tribe of elders – this morning at 9 am PACIFIC.

If you miss the live program, be sure to subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts, and leave us a 5-star review in Apple podcasts.

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My guest this morning is Countess Amanda Feilding – the Founder and Executive Director of the Beckley Foundation – widely recognized as a leading force behind the current Psychedelic Renaissance.

Born in 1943, Countess Feilding is the youngest child of Basil Feilding, great-grandson of the 7th Earl of Denbigh and the Marquess of Bath, and his wife and cousin, Margaret Feilding.

She has propelled the field forward over the last 20+ years, spearheading studies such as the world’s first psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression study (on which Compass Pathways based their business), the world’s first LSD, MDMA and DMT brain imaging studies, plus the initiation and collaboration with Johns Hopkins on the first study using psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to overcome nicotine addiction. She has also co-authored over 80 research papers.

Since 1998, the Beckley Foundation has been at the forefront of exploratory research into psychedelics, and evidence-based global drug policies.

Through her work with the Beckley Foundation, Amanda is bridging the gap between science and policy, creating a positive feedback loop, with the aim of building and harnessing our knowledge of the benefits of currently prohibited compounds to optimize human health, wellbeing and potential.

Today, however, she joins me to discuss how psychedelics have influenced her own journey – taking us from her early days as an independent youth, through her life as an influential spokesperson, advocate, and researcher into psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

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Several years ago I had the privilege of interviewing Tim Scully and Michael Randall – two men who were pivotal in the founding of the entheogen-using church known as the Brotherhood of Eternal Love.

Tim Scully, the chemist behind the production of the organization's LSD supply, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. An accomplished scientist before his prison term, Scully (pictured, in prison, above) spent his time in prison helping design and build biofeedback and interface systems for the non-vocal handicapped. He also received a Ph.D. in psychology from the regionally accredited Humanistic Psychology Institute in 1979. Following the reduction of his sentence to ten years, he was released from prison on parole in August 1979.

Michael Randall, a co-founder of the Brotherhood, refers to LSD as a "sacrament." It became his mission to help "turn on" as many people as possible, so they could share the life-changing experience he had with LSD in 1963 for the first time.

Their story was so rich and full of important history regarding the criminalization of LSD, that I had to dedicate two entire programs to documenting it. Both episodes will be rebroadcast this morning at 9 am this morning, and will be available in the archive thereafter.

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This morning I am honored to continue my series of "Confessions of the Psychedelic Elders" with Françoise Bourzat.

Francoise Bourzat holds a MA in Somatic Psychology from New College of California (San Francisco, 1990). She was trained in the Hakomi Method by the Hakomi Institute of California (1991). She is an adjunct faculty in the East West Psychology Program at CIIS. Since 1987, Francoise has apprenticed with shamans and healers in the U.S. and Mexico. In the last 20 years, she has traveled with groups to Mexico, incorporating her counseling practice experience with her knowledge of expanded states of consciousness where she partners with Mazatec healers in Sacred Mushrooms ceremonies.

She also leads workshops in the U.S, France, Lebanon, and Israel, and was recently interviewed on the Tim Ferriss Show – often the first ranked of hundreds of thousands of podcasts – which will be released this week as well.

Of her book, Ferriss writes: “This book is brand-new, but I’m already on my second read. I’ve been waiting a year for it to be published! Françoise is one of the world’s foremost experts in navigating 'expanded states of consciousness,' and she has ~30 years of experience combining indigenous training with modern tools. Highly recommended for anyone interested in this work.”

Francoise joins me to discuss her early experiences with psychedelics, and how she discovered her role as a healer. We will also discuss her monumental book, co-authored with Kristina Hunter, Consciousness Medicine: Indigenous Wisdom, Entheogens, and Expanded States of Consciousness for Healing and Growth.

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Last week we got such a positive reception from our listeners that I am rebroadcasting my interview with psychedelic elder confessor Dennis McKenna – author of the classic book, The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss: My Life with Terence McKenna.

Dennis, the younger brother of Terence, was featured in my previous book, Psychedelic Medicine, discussing the plant medicine known in South America as ayahuasca – a potent rain forest concoction containing the active ingredient DMT.

McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 40 years, and our last interview focused on the science of this fascinating substance. However, this recent interview focuses more on Dennis's personal experiences in academia and industry as he gradually found his present niche as a writer, researcher, teacher, and advocate for the study of mind-altering plant medicines.

He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. He is also the younger brother of Terence McKenna. From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. In the spring of 2019, in collaboration with colleagues in Canada and the US, he
incorporated a new non-profit, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy. He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford B.C.

Listen at 9 am PACIFIC, as we rebroadcast my pre-recorded interview with Dennis McKenna.

Finally, if you know a good candidate for our Confessions of the Psychedelic Elders series – or are yourself interested in sharing your story – please contact us at producer@mindbodyhealthpolitics.org.

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This week I continue my series of psychedelic elder confessors with the great Dennis McKenna – author of the classic book, The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss: My Life with Terence McKenna.

Dennis, the younger brother of Terence, was featured in my previous book, Psychedelic Medicine, discussing the plant medicine known in South America as ayahuasca – a potent rain forest concoction containing the active ingredient DMT.

McKenna has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 40 years, and our last interview focused on the science of this fascinating substance. However, this recent interview focuses more on Dennis's personal experiences in academia and industry as he gradually found his present niche as a writer, researcher, teacher, and advocate for the study of mind-altering plant medicines.

He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. He is also the younger brother of Terence McKenna. From 2000 to 2017, he taught courses on Ethnopharmacology and Plants in Human affairs as an adjunct Assistant Professor in the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota. In the spring of 2019, in collaboration with colleagues in Canada and the US, he
incorporated a new non-profit, the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy. He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford B.C.

Listen at 9 am PACIFIC, as we drop my pre-recorded interview with Dennis McKenna.

Finally, if you know a good candidate for our Confessions of the Psychedelic Elders series – or are yourself interested in sharing your story – please contact us at producer@mindbodyhealthpolitics.org.

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This week I continue my series of psychedelic elder confessors with my old friend Charles Bush – Philosopher, Educator, and former Executive Director of the Redwood Senior Center in Fort Bragg, California.

Charles Bush has lived on the Mendocino Coast for nearly four decades. Before coming to the Coast, he managed large residential service operations on college campuses. He co-founded Mendocino's successful and long-lived Community School. He retired from his position as director of Chamisa Mesa School near Taos, New Mexico, and became the Executive Director of the Redwood Coast Senior Center, where he served for several years.

I've interviewed Charles on my program before about how the philosopher encounters the world through the intermediate organs of perception, including the mind. We have explored how the stories that we weave influence our experience. This morning, we will discuss how meaning is created over the course of a lifetime, investigating the boundary between the mind and physical reality, and in particular, how psychedelics have influenced Charles's stories about the world and his numerous life experiences.

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For decades, the public perception of psychedelics has been skewed by a pervasive stereotype about their users. To debunk this myth, I am showcasing real-life stories of accomplished professional and scholarly individuals willing to "come out" about their experiences. My guest this morning, Professor Chris M. Bache, is the poster child for this growing tribe of distinguished psychedelic elders.

Bache is professor emeritus in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University, where he taught for 33 years. Classically trained in the philosophy of religion at the University of Notre Dame, Cambridge, and Brown University, he recognized early in his career that psychedelics represented a major turning point in Western philosophy.

Convinced that the deepest contributions to his discipline would be made by philosophers speaking out of an experiential rather than just theoretical basis, he divided his life into two streams: In public, he became an academic in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Youngstown State University, teaching courses in Buddhism, transpersonal studies, psychology of religion, and comparative mysticism for over thirty years.

Meanwhile, in 1979, he began privately experiment with psychedelic exploration, which became the foundation for his philosophical inquiry. Since retiring in 2015, Chris has spoken and written openly about his psychedelic history, bringing the shamanic side of his life forward.

Chris’s passion has been exploring the philosophical significance of nonordinary states of consciousness, especially psychedelic states. He has written four books: Lifecycles - a study of reincarnation in light of contemporary consciousness research; Dark Night, Early Dawn - a pioneering work in psychedelic philosophy and collective consciousness; The Living Classroom, an exploration of teaching and collective fields of consciousness; and LSD and the Mind of the Universe, the story of his 20-year journey with LSD.

Chris is the father of three grown children and a Vajrayana practitioner.

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Last week I had the privilege of interviewing one of my inspirations for this program, Dr. Dean Edell. This morning at 9 am PST I am delighted to welcome my other inspiration for getting into radio, the inimitable Michael Krasny.

Bay Area NPR listeners know Krasny well. For years, Michael Krasny was the host of KQED's award-winning Forum, a news and public affairs radio program. He remains a veteran interviewer for the nationally broadcast City Arts and Lectures and worked for many years as host of one of ABC's highest-rated radio programs. He has worked as host of KQED's television programs This Week in Northern California and Civic Space and as a substitute host for NPR’s Talk of the Nation. He received two Emmy nominations for his television work.

In addition to his radio career, Krasny has written prolifically – publishing a variety of fiction, literary criticism, and political commentary. He is the coauthor of Sound Ideas (McGraw-Hill), and author of Off Mike: A Memoir of Talk Radio, Literary Life (Stanford University Press, 2007), and Spiritual Envy (New World Press). He also released a twenty-four lecture series DVD, audio and book on “Short Story Masterpieces” for The Teaching Company.

Krasny holds a PhD degree from The University of Wisconsin. Born in Cleveland and raised in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Krasny is a second-generation American whose grandparents immigrated from Russia and Lithuania and grew up in a Jewish household. He now lives in Marin County, with his wife, Leslie.

Krasny and I will discuss his latest book, Spiritual Envy: An Agnostic's Quest.

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Our distinguished guest on Mind Body Health & Politics today at 9 am PST is Dr. Dean Edell– a pioneer in the field of health broadcasting, and my very inspiration for this program.

I was inspired by Dean Edell because he had the courage to speak to America with the truth, integrity, and warmth that many of us valued in our doctors. Listeners called in with questions and they received straightforward honest answers. When he did not know an answer, he said so, and he then said he would find out... and he did.

Dr. Dean Edell actually requires little introduction, since his syndicated radio program aired live for 31 years – from 1979 to 2010 – and was the second most listened to radio talk show in America for much of the 1990s. The program was syndicated on over 200 stations across the country. His television program, Dr. Dean, aired on NBC beginning in 1992.

"Dr. Dean's" medical CV included an M.D. from Cornell University Medical School in 1967, a private ophthalmology practice in San Diego, and a teaching position in anatomy at UC San Diego – all before leaving the practice of medicine in the 1970s to pursue his true love of communicating information.

During the '70s, Dr. Dean lived in a vintage bus as a hippie, experimenting with different lifestyles, including organic farming, painting, and the topic of this morning's broadcast – psychedelic exploration.

Later, after starting a jewelry and antique shop to supplement his income, Dean served as medical director of the Sacramento County Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center. A co-worker introduced him to the owner of a small music station, where he would begin his career as the on-air personality America grew to know and love.

Concerned with declining scientific literacy in the United States, he railed against pseudoscience and magical thinking – fad diets and unproven healing methods – while promoting research into the therapeutic use of marijuana and psychedelic drugs.

In 2010, Dean retired from media broadcasting and now lives in rural Mendocino County.

I am deeply honored to have Dean Edell – my neighbor, a fellow member of a growing tribe of psychedelic elders – on Mind Body Health & Politics.

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This morning (9 am Pacific) I continue the Psychedelic Elders series with the latest confessor, my dear friend Cliff Barney (92 years old).

Cliff is a former journalist who has written for major U. S. dailies, including the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Hearst-run San Francisco Examiner, and covered the semiconductor and computer revolutions in Silicon Valley as a bureau manager for McGraw-Hill’s Electronics magazine. He studied and taught at the San Francisco Gestalt Institute, and holds an M.S. in counseling from California State College, Hayward.

He was born in New Bedford in 1929 and grew up in Rhode Island, the only child of a father who was the first of his family to leave the farm in 250 years in Swansea, Mass., and a mother whose family emigrated from Scotland in the late 19th century. Though neither of his parents got past the fifth grade in school, they nonetheless managed to send him to Dartmouth College, from which he graduated with an A.B. in 1951.

He has written about the press, aging, and Latin American politics in a blog, Cliff’s Notes, and about contemporary Mayan culture at carolinamccall.com, the website he runs with his artist wife.

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This morning (9am Pacific) I am honored to be interviewing William Miller, MD – the chief of staff at Mendocino County District Hospital – on a topic of pressing concern to all of us.

Dr. Miller (the other Dr. Milller), recently delivered a fascinating talk to the Mendocino Coast's Covid Response Network on the challenge posed by variants or mutations of the virus. We will review his professional opinion on the threat these variants pose, and whether the current vaccines are likely to protect us from them.

We will also discuss masking and social distancing after being vaccinated, contagion amongst vaccination decliners, and present risks associated with Covid.

Your calls are welcome during the broadcast at (650) TALLY-HO.

Please tune in or download this free podcast at your leisure, forward this email, share via the links below, and post the "listen-live" link to alert your friends and neighbors to this live broadcast.

Wishing you excellent health,

Richard Louis Miller, M.A., Ph.D.
Host, Mind Body Health & Politics

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Artist, author & naturalist Obi Kaufmann returns to the program with a hopeful Earth-day message regarding California conservation and ecology. Author of the bestselling “The California Field Atlas,”  “The State of Water: Understanding California’s Most Precious Resource,” and the recently released “The Forests of California,” Kaufmann’s holistic approach to California’s landscapes, habitats and creatures includes maps, prose and musings about California's wild inhabitants— commingled with valuable references to better understand our natural world.

“The Forests of California is the story about the survival strategy of reinforcing connectivity, not only between habitat spaces, but between members of our own species.” - Obi Kaufmann

Obi brings a new, informed perspective on the importance of the natural world to our state of being and health, with a refreshing optimistic attitude.  I eagerly await his upcoming book on the California coastline.

Please tune in or download this free podcast at your leisure, forward this email, share via the links below, and post the "listen-live" link to alert your friends and neighbors to this live broadcast.

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I welcome Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, author of Blue Mind: The Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do.

Dr. Wallace "J" Nichols — called a “Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine, “a visionary" by Outside Magazine, a "water warrior" by AQUATICS International, a "friend of the sea" by Experience Life Magazine, and "the godfather of water" by Irish Life Health and Santa Cruz Waves Magazine — is an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, and fun-loving Dad. He also likes turtles (a lot).

Dr. Nichols collaborates tirelessly to create the new story of water and share it with the world. This story includes the vast cognitive, emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual benefits that we can all derive from healthy waters and oceans throughout our lives.

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I welcome Jerry B. Brown, PhD and Julie Brown, coauthors of The Psychedelic Gospels.

Jerry B. Brown, Ph.D., is an anthropologist and the Founding Professor of Anthropology at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, where he teaches an online course on “Psychedelics and Culture.” Professor Brown researches, writes and teaches on psychedelics and religion as well as on psychedelic therapy.

Hear about their extensive research throughout Europe as well as their Confessions as Psychedelic Elders and why they think this is an exceptional time for psychedelics. Jerry and Julie are married and are veteran psychonauts as well as diligent scholarly researchers.

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I am excited to welcome internationally known architect Charles Durrett as our guest.

Charles Durrett, with his former wife, Kathryn McCamant coined the word Cohousing and brought the concept of these planned communities to the United States in the Eighties. Durrett has designed over 60 cohousing communities in the US and Canada. One of his recent projects is Valley View Affordable Housing in American Canyon, California.

This important project pulled many homeless Veterans off the street and gave them more than a shelter...it gave them a community and established a core place for them to rebuild their lives. This community of very small homes borrowed on the legacy of cohousing communities with central community spaces and core shared living areas in a way that drives social change and invites new thinking about a troubling social problem.

Durrett’s new book is about Valley View Affordable Housing and provides solutions that others may use to help solve homelessness on a community level. Join us to learn about a very positive approach to solving homelessness one neighborhood at a time.

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I interview three internationally prominent sex worker activists Norma Jean Almodovar, Carol Leigh, and Veronica Vera. This interview will be part of an upcoming book entitled Sexual Medicine with Inner Traditions/Bear & Co.

This program gives special homage to my friend and heroine, Margo St. James. Margo St. James befriended me when I moved to San Francisco in 1968. In fact, we became so close that she took what she called her "first straight job" working for me at my clinic, The Gestalt Institute for Multiple Psychotherapy, near Children's Hospital, on Sacramento Street. I will tell you the rest of that story on air.

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For the Covid Update I discuss the variants and vaccinations.

I also interview the distinguished clinical psychologist, author and researcher, Dr. Thomas B. Robert’s on his very personal experiences with psychedelics. This interview is part of an upcoming book: Confessions of Psychedelic Elders.

Tom’s research investigates psychedelic mind-body states for the leads they provide for learning, cognition, intelligence, creativity, mental health, and abilities that reside in them.

Thomas B. Roberts, Ph.D., is professor emeritus at Northern Illinois University and a former visiting scientist at Johns Hopkins. The coeditor of Psychedelic Medicine and the author of Psychedelic Horizons, he has spoken at international conferences on psychedelics, consciousness, and psychedelic science.

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Phil Borges sees storytelling as a primary tool for driving social change. Learn how his projects, Women Empowered, Crazywise and his TedTalks have provided new ways of seeing through his first-person stories.

Phil Borges, has been documenting indigenous cultures and striving to create an understanding of the challenges they face for over 25 years. For his program, Stirring the Fire, Phil produced and filmed several short films, capturing the stories of women heroes and the issues they face all over the world, both as solo projects and in collaboration with organizations such as UN Women and CARE. We consider it especially appropriate to have Phil visit just prior to International Women's Day, March 8, 2021.

His work on the film Crazywise takes a closer look at whether some diagnosed 'mental breakdowns' might in fact be spiritual awakenings. In Crazywise, Phil asks us: What can we learn from those who have turned their psychological crisis into a positive transformative experience?

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Covid, consumerism and happiness

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The Forests of California

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Robert Whitaker is a journalist and author of two books about the history of psychiatry, Mad in America and Anatomy of an Epidemic, and the co-author, with Lisa Cosgrove, of Psychiatry Under the Influence. He is the founder of madinamerica.com.

Robert will be joining the program again live in the coming weeks, and I want my audience to be up to speed on his groundbreaking journalism. In his pulitzer prize nominated articles for the Boston Globe, Robert Whitaker discovered an extreme potential danger of prescription drugs such as SSRIs and antipsychotics in the treatment of depressed, anxious and mentally-ill.

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4th in a series on government

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Many of you know that I have been active in founding the COVID Response Network (CRN) on the Northern California Coast. We must be prepared to stop this and all future pandemics, and I believe that an effective response begins at the local level.

Here in Mendocino County, where I broadcast weekly, we are lucky to have a dedicated Board of Supervisors which responds to the needs of our residents. I recently sat down and spoke with Ted Williams – Supervisor for the 5th District of Mendocino County – about several issues of pressing national concern. Chief among these issues is the on-going COVID pandemic, the rollout of the vaccine, and how much longer we will need to continue measures such as social distancing and mask-wearing.

It's rare to hear a public official speak as openly and transparently as Ted did with me.

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We are all aware that we are living in extraordinary historical times.

Austrian-born former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger likened last week’s storming of our American Capitol, during which 5 people were killed, with Kristallnacht – the night of the broken glass. In 1938, the Nazis infamously attacked Jewish people, broke their store windows and began a two-day pogrom.

Our current President initiated the attack on the Capitol and the House of Representatives responded with impeachment proceedings, making him the first American President to be impeached twice.

To offer guidance in navigating these challenging waters, our guests on this program are Mendocino County Sheriff Matt Kendall and former four-time Governor Jerry Brown.

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Dr. Stanislav Grof, M.D​., the world's foremost scientist regarding LSD, the founder of Holotropic Breathwork and the Spiritual Emergency Network

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As I continue my series of interviews with the "Psychedelic Elders" with Wisconsin-based psychologist, Dr. Allan Ajaya.

Allan received his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley. He followed this with a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Wisconsin, in the Psychiatry Department.

Early experiences with psychedelics led him to discover how transcendent experiences can free one from identifying with his contracted personality. He reports having taken over 150μg of LSD on more than 900 occasions, and once accidentally ingested a mega-mega-dose of 5,000μg (Warning: do NOT try this at home).

However, he discovered that the ability to see beneath the veneer of consensual reality, to the archetypal realm, and to experience the underlying unity of all that exists, using psychedelics (even very large doses) is short lived.

He turned toward spiritual practices as a way of remaining in transpersonal awareness. He studied with with Eastern spiritual teachers, notably, Chogyam Trungpa, Swami Satchidananda, and Swami Rama. He was initiated as a swami on the banks of the Ganges, in Rishikesh, India. For the next twenty years he periodically travelled to India, for further study, to teach, and to deepen his meditation.

Allan is also a mentor for professionals who are learning to be psychedelic therapists. He is interested in how entheogens (another word for psychedelics), psychotherapy, and self-inquiry compliment one another in opening us to the intelligence that manifest as all that is. He is author of Healing the Whole Person and Yoga Psychology: A Practical Guide to Meditation. Go to BeingAwareness.org for a full list of Allan's books and to contact him.

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TODAY ON MBH&P our guest will be Charlie Deist, who has intriguing things to say about free speech, the Free Speech Movement, and the Free Speech Radio Network, of which my program is a part.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

What does that mean in the 21st century? Tune in to find out.

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My guests this week, Drs. Genesee Herzberg and Jason Butler, are the co-founders of the pioneering Sage Institute – our country’s first psychedelic psychotherapy clinic for the economically disadvantaged.

Sage Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides high-quality training, accessible psychedelic therapy, and innovative research, fostering effective and culturally-responsive mental health treatment for underserved communities.

Among other services, Sage Institute houses a sliding scale clinic in Oakland offering low fee ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and trauma-focused depth psychotherapy.

Both Jason and Genesee are licensed clinical psychologists, who specialize in working with trauma and integrating psychedelic experiences.

I have had the privilege of getting to know Jason and Genesee, and am honored to be a collaborator with them on a forthcoming volume of essays entitled Psychedelic Psychotherapy to be published by the Routledge publishing house.

Tune in LIVE, Tuesday at 9am PACIFIC, for our discussion of the future of psychotherapy – using a full range of tools that includes psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA – and be sure to call or text in with your questions:

(650) TALLY-HO

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If this feed falters, go to mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/listen-live

My guest this week is founder of the Third Wave, Paul F. Austin. Paul struggled with anxiety and depression for years before he discovered microdosing.

Yes, microdosing. With psychedelics.

Stay with me, because this could help you or someone you know.

New research shows that microdoses of psychedelics turn off the “ruminating” brain areas – giving the user the neurological space to make new choices, think new thoughts, and create new habits.

But there’s a catch... As I've talked about for years on my program, you can’t just pop a pill and expect it to change your life.

It is vital to use microdosing in an intentional, structured way so you build new neural pathways rather than fall back into old patterns.

Third Wave offers a course that explains the right way to microdose – step-by-step – with an emphasis on using psilocybin safely to treat depression and anxiety. Paul is offering listeners to this program a 15% discount on the course. Use the code "MINDBODY15" at the checkout if you are interested in learning how to maximize the benefits of microdosing for healing, or simply for creativity and life change.

This Tuesday, Paul and I will discuss his personal experience with psychedelic medicines, and the importance of using them in conjunction with other mindbody enhancing modalities, such as meditation, exercise and diet.

Click the link below to learn more about the course, and tune in LIVE, Tuesday at 9am PACIFIC.

https://thethirdwave.co/ref/5

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Following my delightful interview with New York City psychoanalyst Charley Wininger, during which he openly spoke about his decades of responsible, recreational experimentation with psychedelic medicines, I am inspired to conduct a series of interviews with prominent psychotherapists, authors, and other public figures on their personal use of psychedelics, entitled “Confessions of Psychedelic Elders.”

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020 (9am PACIFIC), we will hear the confessions of two nationally-known doctors, David Geisinger and Howard Levene.

Dr. David L. Geisinger, is the 82-year-old author of Kicking It: The New Way to Stop Smoking and Permanently Going The Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love, written with his life partner, Dr. Lonnie Barbach.

Dr. Howard I. Levene – 85-year-old former Commander and medical officer in the U.S. Navy – is founder of Diabasis House, and a faculty member at the C.G. Jung Institute of San Francisco and Department of Psychiatry, UCSF Medical School.

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My guest on Mind Body Health & Politics is Charley Wininger, LP, LMHC – a licensed psychoanalyst and mental health counselor specializing in relationships and communication skills – about his new book Listening to Ecstasy.

Recognized as “The Love Doctor” by the New York Times, he’s been treating couples and individuals in his Manhattan and Brooklyn offices for 30 years. Although Charley does not use MDMA in his practice, he is open about his own personal, "responsible recreational" usage, and he lays out the guidelines for such use in the book.
Our discussion will focus on the "chemical connection" produced by MDMA, how it can strengthen marriages and relationships, as well its potential for aiding in the process of graceful aging.

Finally, we will revisit the question of how a renewal of psychedelic research and experimentation can alleviate the loss of community in our modern world.

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My guest on Mind Body Health & Politics in this episode is Dr. Gabor Maté– a physician and bestselling author of four books, published in twenty-five languages, including:

In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters With Addiction;
When the Body Says No;
Exploring the Stress-Disease Connection;
Scattered: How ADD Originates and What You Can Do About It; and
Hold on to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers

Renowned for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness, his book on addiction received the Hubert Evans Prize for literary non-fiction. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada, his country’s highest civilian distinction.

Our discussion focuses on the diagnosis known as ADD. When does it help? When does it harm? What can people with this diagnosis do to live life as normally and productively as possible?

To learn more about Dr. Maté, subscribe to his e-newsletter at drgabormate.com.

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Last week, we featured two prominent scientists on the topic of COVID-19. Two studies were mentioned: the Duke mask study, examining the efficacy of different kinds of masks in a physics laboratory, and the recently-release Danish mask study (DANMASK) – the largest controlled study of masks since the beginning of the pandemic.

This week, I am joined by lead researchers on each study – Dr. Eric Westman of Duke University, and Dr. Henning Bundgaard of the University of Copenhagen.

Creon Levit and Dr. Nick Cozzi also return to offer their commentary.

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As we turn the corner into winter, it's more important than ever to have an honest, science based, perspective on COVID-19. I will be interviewing prominent, professional scientists on how to reduce your risk of receiving or transmitting the virus, and how to protect yourself and your family.

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Dear Neighbors:
In 1974, I was living at Wilbur Hot Springs and I heard about a man, my age, named Jerry Brown, who was a candidate for governor of California. I learned that his family had lived “down the road a piece” from Wilbur since 1857.
I did some research and discovered that, more than any other politician, Jerry Brown represented my social and economic views.
Soon after, for the first time in my life, I attended a political fundraiser, met the candidate, Jerry Brown, and donated $500 (present value $2,639), a great deal of money for me. I have been a fan of his ever since. Later that year he was elected to his first of four terms as Governor of California. I opine that Jerry Brown may be the only honest politician in America.
He tells the truth.
This year, Jerry Brown retired after his second 8-year term as Governor of California. He moved back to the family farm in Colusa County, and once again we are neighbors.
This past New Year's Eve Jerry and his wife Anne spent the evening with Jolee and myself at Wilbur. It is because of these connections that I have the privilege of interviewing my neighbor, Governor Brown, on Mind Body Health & Politics, about his thoughts on the increasingly dangerous world, and how to address the dual threats of climate change and nuclear proliferation.
– Richard

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Every frog has his shadow self… How much more varied are we as human beings!

If you have been operating under the illusion of the “Single Self Assumption,” prepare to shift your consciousness and get attuned to 𝑌𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑆𝑦𝑚𝑝ℎ𝑜𝑛𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑆𝑒𝑙𝑣𝑒𝑠.
Get the book https://amzn.to/3grHP2a and listen to this conversation between author Dr. Jim Fadiman and fellow psychologist Dr. Richard Louis Miller, as they going beyond psychedelic exploration into the deep inner space of our non-pathological multiple personalities.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/0qquZ1Bcj94

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Host, Dr. Richard Miller Interviews Ken Paul Rosenthal discussing his film "Whisper Rapture".
Ken Paul Rosenthal's award winning films re-envision the way we think, speak and feel about mental distress and wellness in today's chaotic world. His transformative films offer new maps for navigating madness with insight healing and hope.

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Guest Host, Charles Bush, Executive Director of the Fort Bragg Senior Center, interviews Mind Body Health & Politics Host, Dr. Richard Miller, on his recently published book: Psychedelic Medicine. Embracing the revival of psychedelic research and the discovery of new therapeutic uses, Dr. Richard Louis Miller discusses what is happening today in psychedelic medicine–and what will happen in the future.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Dr Richard Gaines, founder of the Gainswave, which purports to be a ground breaking method of treating erectile dysfunction by using sound waves to create new blood supplies to the penis. Research by the National Institute of Health has supported the use of sound waves for treating erectile dysfunction.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Paul Austin MD, Founder of the Third Wave of Psychedelics which he writes will "usher in the dawn of a new psychedelic age and will change the perception of psychedelics by Western civilization." Paul is committed to changing the cultural conversation about psychedelics.

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Petra Schulte is a nutrition educator who teaches healthy weight management, cancer prevention, reversing heart disease, and diabetes classes. Today's broadcast addresses Blue Zones--places in the world with the longest longevity--and how easy changes to your lifestyle can improve your longevity and quality of life.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Harvard Urologist and best selling author, Dr Abraham Morgentaler. Topics will include recent medical advances in penile enhancement (neo vascularization) utilizing acoustic wave shock treatment and platelet enriched plasma, as well as benefits and methods of administration of testosterone.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Mike Seeklander, author, International Firearms Competitor, National Firearms Safety Instructor, co-host of The Best Defense, the Outdoor channel’s leading firearm instructional show, and US Air Marshall.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Dr Abraham Morgentaler. Associate Clinical Professor of Urology, Harvard University, on the subject of male sexuality with special focus on testosterone, viagra and the prostate.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller will interview Peter Wells about his new concept, Living Harmoniously.

Peter, father of 7, is an author, playwright, actor, musician, film producer, and owner of the Albion River Inn.

The Albion River Inn has been featured in Wine Spectator, Coastal Living, Zagat, Entrepreneur, Departures, and Sunset magazines.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews David Nicol on his recent book, Subtle Activism: The Inner Dimension of Social and Planetary Transformation. David T. Nicol, PhD is the Founder and Executive Director of the Gaiafield Project and Institute for Subtle Activism. He is also co-founder of BeThePeace, one of the world’s largest global meditation events that occurs annually on the International Day of Peace (September 21).

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Neil Davis and Tarney Sheldon of The Healthy Mendocino Project’s “Family Wellness and Childhood Obesity Prevention” Action Team​ about what Mendocino County is doing to turn the epidemic of childhood obesity.​

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Dr Irving Kirsch on his ground breaking book, The Emperor's New Drugs. This book demonstrates that what everyone "knew" about antidepressants was wrong and what the medical community considered a cornerstone of psychiatric treatment is little more than a faulty consensus.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews the directors of two multi-award winning films which will be shown at the Mendocino International Film Festival on June 3rd, 2017: God Knows Where I Am, directed by Jedd and Todd Wider and I Am Not Your Negro, directed by Raul Peck (interview with Hebert Peck).

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Ethan Nadelmann, J.D., Ph.D., founder, and just retired Director of The Drug Policy Alliance, the country's foremost drug policy think tank and information dissemination organization advocating and lobbying for legalization of all substances as a constitutional right.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Ayelet Waldman on her recent book: A Really Good Day: How Microdosing Made a Mega Difference in My Mood, My Marriage, and My Life. Ayelet Waldman, former Federal Public Defender, is a bestselling author, married to bestselling author, Michael Chabon, and mother of 4.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Michael Whalen about his struggle with apnea and weight loss. Michael Whalen is a composer of over 650 television and film scores and thousands of advertising jingles. He has won two Emmy Awards and his works feature in places from TV shows to audiobooks. Projects include the human trafficking film in 2011 Cargo and short films for Disney.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews 2 transgender women, Gwen, a structural engineer and, Erica, an information technology specialist, both of whom were married to women and had children whom they now co-parent.

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Interview with Dr Philip Wolfson by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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In conversation with Dr Julie Holland on her most recent book, Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You're Taking, The Sleep You're Missing, The Sex You're Not Having, and What's Really Making You Crazy. Dr Holland is a Harvard trained psychiatrist, author, research scientist and assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine.

Other books by Dr Julie Holland include:
- Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Night Shift at the Psych ER and
- The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis.

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Dr. Dennis McKenna: Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss. Dr. McKenna is an ethnopharmacologist who has studied plant hallucinogens for over forty years. Outside of scientific circles he is best known as the brother of Terence McKenna, a cultural icon in the psychedelic community.

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Crazywise by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Encouraging Community by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Bill Ayers visits Mind Body Health & Politics to discuss "Demand The Impossible"

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A conversation with Philosopher, Charles Bush

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Dr Richard Miller in conversation with Dr Eric Maisel.

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Dr. Lonnie Barbach, the country's foremost expert of Human Sexuality on her most recent book, For Each Other: Sharing Sexual Intimacy. Dr. Lonnie Barbach's books have sold over 4 million copies world wide. Her break through book: For Yourself, opened the closed door to female masturbation and was voted the most important self help book by 5,000 psychologists.

The publication of Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love, written with David Geisenger, Ph.D., her partner of 32 years, has defined her as an acknowledged expert on intimate relationships.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ will interview Rob Valente, The UnDoctor. He specializes in discovering and addressing the underlying causes of chronic conditions and long-term illness rather than just treating symptoms.

Rob Valente maintains a private health consulting practice in which he helps people who aren't getting relief from standard medical practice.

The broadcast concludes with editorial comments.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ will interview Doctors Thaïs Mazur and Wendy Wood regarding their book, Do No Harm: Mindful Engagement for a World in Crisis.

Doctors Mazur and Wood are authors, researchers, professors who serve traumatized and marginalized individuals, communities, and organizations through mediation, conflict management, integrative health education and training on compassion in action.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ will interview Dr. Stella Resnick on her most recent book, The Heart of Desire: Keys to the Pleasures of Love.

Dr. Stella Resnick is a clinical psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California and a certified sex therapist who specializes in couples' therapy. She has appeared on Oprah, CNN Live, The O'Reilly Factor and has written articles for many national magazines. She is also the author of The Pleasure Zone.

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Host Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews multiple award-winning, best-selling author and educator, Janet Hardy, on her latest of 12 books, entitled The Ethical Slut, which has presently sold over 200,000 copies.
Janet Hardy is a political activist championing the cause of positive sexual attitudes towards all forms of solo and consensual sexual behavior.

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Host Dr. Richard Miller interviews Fabian Lizaragga, a former LAPD Captain who was recently appointed as Chief of Police in the city of Ft. Bragg, California. They discuss Lizaragga's journey to his current position, including his stints of under-cover work, and the challenges currently facing law enforcement.

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Host Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews Amanda Feilding, founder of the Beckley Foundation, a UK-based think-tank and UN-accredited NGO, whose dual purpose is the scientific investigation of consciousness and the creation of balanced drug policies.

They discuss recent studies conducted by the Beckley Foundation that use brain imaging technologies to analyze the effects of LSD, and to aid our understanding of the mechanism of action of psychedelic substances.

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Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews author and motivational speaker James Peal, Ph.D.

Peal says that each moment provides you with the opportunity to decide how you want to engage, your life, your work, your relationships. His book, Check Your Tude, provides a guide that lets the reader contrast the positive and negative mindsets that we face several times in our day to day experiences.

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Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews author and motivational speaker James Peal, Ph.D.

Peal says that each moment provides you with the opportunity to decide how you want to engage, your life, your work, your relationships. His book, Check Your Tude, provides a guide that lets the reader contrast the positive and negative mindsets that we face several times in our day to day experiences.

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Host Dr. Richard L. Miller provides an overview of the main lessons he has learned in his 50 years as a clinical psychologist.

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Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Tim Scully and Michael Randall – two major historical ​figures in the "War on Drugs."

​Tim Scully was the scientist taught to make LSD in quantity by LSD pioneer Owsley Stanley and Michael Randall was the leader of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love whose world wide LSD distribution network financed the Weather Underground to successfully break Tim Leary out of Federal Prison where he was serving time for drug offenses. Both Scully and Randall served time in Federal Prison.

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Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Tim Scully and Michael Randall – two major historical ​figures in the "War on Drugs."

​Tim Scully was the scientist taught to make LSD in quantity by LSD pioneer Owsley Stanley and Michael Randall was the leader of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love whose world wide LSD distribution network financed the Weather Underground to successfully break Tim Leary out of Federal Prison where he was serving time for drug offenses. Both Scully and Randall served time in Federal Prison.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ interviews Charles Bush, Philosopher, Educator and Executive Director of the Redwood Senior Center in Fort Bragg, California.

Charles Bush has lived on the Mendocino Coast for nearly four decades. Before coming to the Coast, he managed large residential service operations on college campuses. He co-founded Mendocino's successful and long-lived Community School. He retired from his position as director of Chamisa Mesa School near Taos, New Mexico, became the Executive Director of the Redwood Coast Senior Center. Charles believes the Center is a refuge that embodies the values of kindness, courtesy and respect.

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What do we really need to make informed decisions about our health? Dr. Miller takes up the big questions about how our political systems influence our well-being at the most fundamental level. We must take responsibility, while simultaneously holding those in power accountable.

Start your journey towards mental and physical well-being with an assessment.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ in conversation with Attorneys Patrick Pekin and John Allison regarding law and the legal profession.

*Patrick Pekin began handling criminal cases in Salinas where he represented clients accused of every type of crime from DUI to homicide. Because Salinas is a high crime area, he became experienced in cases involving gangs and violence. He was appointed to represent prisoners housed in the Salinas Valley and Soledad State Prisons who were accused of in-prison crime. He also has experience with cases arising from Atascadero State Mental Hospital and practiced in counties throughout the Central Coast of California.

*John Allison has practiced law for 43 years. He built a successful private law firm practice as a trial lawyer and litigation attorney representing individuals, small businesses, non-profits and large companies. His law practice grew based on repeat business and referrals from satisfied clients. He chaired a committee of the American Bar Association and was a Judge Pro Tem. He also served in management roles at two different law firms.

Listen to Part I here: https://soundcloud.com/mbhp/transforming-the-practice-of-law-and-choosing-your-lawyer-with-john-allison

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Pulitzer prize nominated journalist Robert Whitaker describes the paradox of prescription drugs such as SSRIs and anti-psychotics in the treatment of depressed, anxious and mentally ill.

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Michael Mithoefer spent a decade of his early career as a board certified emergency medical physician. He is certified in internal medicine and in 1991 he became certified in psychiatry. He and Annie Mithoefer have a private practice of psychiatry in clinical research in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. On November 2nd, 2001, Michael and Annie obtained FDA approval to run a clinical trial in the United States giving MDMA in combination with psychotherapy to treat chronic treatment resistant, post-traumatic stress disorder. The first experimental session of his Phase II clinical trial happened in April of 2004. This is a historic, groundbreaking study.

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First in a Series on the Law and the Legal Profession: Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ will interview John Allison on his books Transforming the Practice of Law: Reclaiming the Soul of the Legal Profession and Choosing Your Lawyer: An Insider's Practical Guide to Making a Really Good Choice.

Listen to Part II here: https://soundcloud.com/mbhp/attorneys-patrick-pekin-john-allison-on-the-legal-profession

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ interviews renowned New Yorker journalist Larissa MacFarquhar, whose new book, Strangers Drowning reveals the individuals who devote themselves fully to bettering the lives of strangers, even when it comes at great personal cost.

Larissa MacFarquhar has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 1998. Her profile subjects have included John Ashbery, Barack Obama, Noam Chomsky, Hilary Mantel, Derek Parfit, David Chang, and Aaron Swartz, among many others.

There are those of us who help and those who live to help. In *Strangers Drownin,g, Larissa MacFarquhar digs deep into the psychological roots and existential dilemmas motivating those rare individuals practicing lives of extreme ethical commitment.

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DOG MEDICINE: How My Dog Saved Me From Myself by Julie Barton is a deeply moving, honest and provocative memoir about a woman’s love for her dog, and the healing power of one very special animal named Bunker. It’s about how Bunker saved Julie’s life after she sank into a depression that nearly killed her.

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Rabbi Michael Lerner is one of America's most significant progressive intellectuals and political leaders. He is rabbi of the Bay Area congregation Beyt Tikkun and the co-founder and editor of Tikkun magazine: a bimonthly Jewish and interfaith critique of politics, culture, and society. Tikkun is one of the most respected intellectual/cultural magazines in the Jewish world, but also one of the most controversial because of its stand in favor of the rights of Palestinians, on the one hand, which locates him in the minds of many as the leader and most prominent spokesperson in the United States of Jewish supporters of the Israeli peace movement, and on the other hand, because of his stand critiquing the anti-religious and anti-spiritual biases of the secular Left, insisting that they need to address the spiritual hunger of Americans as equally important to their material needs.

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Seán ÓLaoire, PhD, is a Catholic priest and licensed clinical psychologist specializing in transpersonal psychology. ÓLaoire regularly lectures and conducts scientific research on the effects of prayer. His books are A Sensible God and Why? What is Your Life Telling You​ about Why you are Here, A Sensible God, Spirits in Spacesuits - A Manual for Everyday Mystics, Building on the Edge of Europe: Survey of Irish Architecture, and Souls on Safari. In addition, he is cofounder and spiritual director of Companions on the Journey (COJ), a popular Silicon Valley spiritual community which seeks to recognize the God/divinity within the self. He has a private counseling practice in Los Altos, CA.

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Dr. Richard Miller presents his views on a variety of issues related to our health, planet, and economy, while taking calls from the audience.

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*Mastering Creative Anxiety: 24 Lessons for Writers, Painters, Musicians, and Actors from America’s Foremost Creativity Coach

In his decades as a psychotherapist and creativity coach, Eric Maisel has found a common thread behind what often gets labeled “writer’s block,” “procrastination,” or “stage fright.” It’s the particular anxiety that, paradoxically, keeps creators from doing, completing, or sharing the work they are driven toward. This “creative anxiety” can take the form of avoiding the work, declaring it not good enough, or failing to market it — and it can cripple creators for decades, even lifetimes. But Maisel has learned what sets successful creators apart. He shares these strategies here, including artist-specific stress management; how to work despite bruised egos, day jobs, and other inevitable frustrations; and what not to do to deal with anxiety. Implementing these 24 lessons replaces the pain of not creating with the profound rewards of free artistic self-expression.

• Practical insights and proven techniques for overcoming the challenges and fears that plague creators of every kind
• Teaching tales that convey effective approaches to creating fearlessly and abundantly

http://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Creative-Anxiety-Musicians-Creativity/dp/157731932X

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Guest Father Sean O'Laoire,PhD, on most recent book: Why? What is Your Life Telling You​ about Why you are Here. Do you wonder what your true path in life is? We each have a purpose and a mission. However, uncovering this purpose can be challenging, and often daunting. Seán ÓLaoire, PhD, is a Catholic priest and licensed clinical psychologist specializing in transpersonal psychology.

Radio Show Broadcast: September 2, 2014

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ interviews Ogi Ogas, Ph.D., co-author of A Billion Wicked Thoughts: What the Internet Tells us About Sexual Relationships, the book which informs us of exactly what pornography the United States is watching on the Internet. It has changed the way scientists and therapists think about sexual desire and divulged more private details about what really turns men and women on than any researcher since Alfred Kinsey. Computational Neuroscientist, Dr. Ogi Ogas, currently writes the Billion Wicked Thoughts blog for Psychology Today.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/billion-wicked-thoughts

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Dr. Dave Nichols on the Suppression of (Certain) Chemical Compounds by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Dr. Nicholas Cozzi, Director of the Neuropharmacology Institute at the University of Wisconsin, about his work with psychedelic medicines – specifically, LSD.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller will interview Ofer Zur Ph.D., a contemporary psychologist, writer, and educator who specializes in therapeutic ethics and boundaries for mental health professionals.

Dr. Ofer Zur's philosophy of treatment suggests embracing flexibility, critical thinking, and a non-pathologizing stance with clients. Zur also aims to educate the public on ethical and sound therapy practices, and his institute provides services and consultations to the public on topics ranging from Internet addiction, to learning how to evaluate options regarding mental health services.

His most recent book, The Complete Fee-for-Service Private Practice Handbook, is a comprehensive and thorough guide to building, maintaining, and managing a thriving fee-for-service private practice in the digital era, outside managed care.

Radio Show Broadcast: September 2, 2015

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller​ interviews Dr. Rick Doblin, Historic Founder, and Executive Director, of MAPS: The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, now celebrating its 25th year as the world 's foremost pharmaceutical organization specializing in psychedelic medicine research.

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Ethan Nadelman, JD, PhD on the Drug Policy Alliance, the leading organization in the United States promoting alternatives to the war on drugs.

The Drug Policy Alliance envisions a just society in which the use and regulation of drugs are grounded in science, compassion, health and human rights, in which people are no longer punished for what they put into their own bodies but only for crimes committed against others, and in which the fears, prejudices and punitive prohibitions of today are no more.

Their mission is to advance those policies and attitudes that best reduce the harms of both drug use and drug prohibition, and to promote the sovereignty of individuals over their minds and bodies.

Radio Show Broadcast: August 4, 2015

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Dr. Julie Holland on her latest book, Moody Bitches: The Truth About the Drugs You're Taking, the Sleep You're Missing, the Sex You're not Having, and What's Really Making You Crazy

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Dr. Richard L. Miller interviews Dr. Gabor Mate, internationally renowned addiction specialist and author of a new book, In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, in which he proposes new approaches to treating addiction based on an understanding of the biological and socio-economic roots of addiction.

http://drgabormate.com/

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Dr. Stanislav Grof, M.D​., the world's foremost scientist regarding LSD, the founder of Holotropic Breathwork and the Spiritual Emergency Network

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney relays his experience from a decade of intensive research into the cannabis plant. His area of expertise: the dietary uses of the non-psychoactive compounds of the plant, which has been eaten by mammals for more than 30 million years. Learn how cannabinoids functionally optimize your cells and organelles, and how consuming the plant in its unheated, non-psychoactive form enhances your diet.

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Dr. William Courtney on the Non-Psychoactive Uses of Cannabis, Pt. II by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on LSD & Psilocybin: End of Life & Anxiety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Peyote: Legality, Safety & Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on LSD: Addiction, Clinical Results & Spirituality by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Peyote: Legality, Safety & Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Supersurvivors, Richard's Trauma And The Power Of Positive Thinking by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Howell on MDMA, LSD, Marijuana & Psilocybin: End of Life Anxiety & Pain by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Beyer on LSD & Ayahuasca: Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Beyer on Ayahuasca: Alternative Medicines by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Beyer on Ayahuasca: User Experience & Healing by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Beyer on Ayahuasca: User Experience by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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MBH&P Monologue: What's Happened in this Country? by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker SSRIs: Depression Dilemma by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: Suppression of Information by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on Benzos: Addiction & Depression by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: Suppression of Information by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: Clinical Results, Safety & Depression by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: Clinical Results & Long-Term Depression by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: History & Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Whitaker on SSRIs: Clinical Results, Depression & Exercise by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Suppression Of Research & Spirituality by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca & Psilocybin: Safety & Setting by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on LSD, MDMA & Ayahuasca: User Experience & Pharmacology by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA: User Experience, Suppression of Information & Legal History by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA: Clinical Results & Risks by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA & LSD: Spirituality & Interconnectedness by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Prescription Drugs: Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Ayahuasca: Spirituality, Safety, Efficacy & Legality by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Ibogaine: User Experience, Addiction, Clinical Results & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA: Pharmacology & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA: Safety, Clinical Results & User Experience by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on Ayahuasca, LSD, Mescaline & Ketamine: Addiction and Depression by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on LSD: Clinical Studies, History & Anxiety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Doblin on MDMA: Pharmacology & Ecstasy vs. MDMA by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Ball on Global Concerns & Suppression of Information by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: Interconnectedness & Problem Solving by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Tools For Expanding Consciousness by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: Clinical Studies, Overview & Addiction by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Smart Drugs: Overview & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: User Experience & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Psilocybin: Pharmacology by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Psilocybin: Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Psilocybin: Clinical Results & Anxiety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Ayahuasca: Suppression of Research by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Ayahuasca: Clinical Results & Addiction by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Ayahuasca: Legality by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Ayahuasca: Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: User Experience & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: Overview, Clinical Results & Addiction by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Ayahuasca: Interconnectedness & Problem Solving 2 by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Smart Drugs: User Experience, Creativity, Safety, & Global Problems by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on MDMA & Psilocybin: Suppression of Research & History by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on Suppression of Information by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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McKenna on LSD: Suppression of Research by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on Psilocybin: Setting & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: User Experience & PTSD by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: Clinical Results by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: Legality by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: User Experience 1 by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: User Experience 2 by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Mithoefer on MDMA: Overview by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on MDMA: Clinical Results & Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on MDMA: Overview by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on MDMA, LSD & Ayahuasca: Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on MDMA: User Experience by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: Creativity & Stigma by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: Set & Setting by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: Setting by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: User Experience & Dose by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: Pharmacology by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Grob on LSD: Suppression of Research by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Fadiman on LSD: Safety by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews James Fox, the founder and director of the Prison Yoga Project, an organization dedicated to establishing yoga and mindfulness meditation programs in prisons and rehabilitation centers worldwide. Since 2002, he has been teaching yoga and meditation to male prisoners at California’s San Quentin Prison as well as other State prisons.

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Dr. Tibbals has spent the past several years researching the adult industry, working to ​shed light on ​popular understandings and misunderstanding ​of pornography, its enterprise, and its socio cultural significance.

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Super survivors: the Surprising link between Suffering and Success, offers a bold new vision for understanding and harnessing resilience through the lens of positive psychology.

Beginning where resilience ends, Supersurvivors examines the stories and science behind the surprising number of cases in which survivors don’t just grow; they revolutionize their lives.

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Dr. Michael A. Smith, M.D. of the Life Extension Institute, on The Supplement Pyramid​: How to Build Your Personalized Nutrition Regimen

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Dr. Phil Wolfson earned his BA at Brandeis University. He went on to graduate school at New York University School of Medicine and began practicing psychotherapy and psychiatry in California between 1966 and 1972. He's licensed to practice medicine in California and Washington. Dr. Wolfson’s been an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco and has taught at several graduate schools. He was one of the founding members of the Heffter Research Institute, which is another psychedelic research organization, with MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies.

Dr. Wolfson is Principal Investigator of a double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2 study, located in Marin, California, which will gather preliminary data about the safety and efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety in 18 subjects diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The study has received coverage in the San Francisco Chronicle, and KQED Radio on Forum with Michael Krasny, and is poised to be a game-changer in terms of bringing mainstream attention to the topic of psychedelic medicines.

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Dr. Cohen is a nationally esteemed medical practitioner and researcher, a university professor, author of eight health books and more than a hundred medical articles, and an expert on medication safety and nutrition.

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Dr. Marc Lesser is the former director of Tassajara, Zen Mountain Center and currently teaches and lectures at the San Francisco Zen Center and throughout the U.S. He is also the founder and former CEO of Brush Dance, a publisher of greeting cards, calendars and gift items, with spiritual themes and artwork. He spent 15 years taking Brush Dance from an idea in his garage to a multimillion dollar publishing company, with distribution throughout the U.S. and the world.

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This week host Dr. Richard Miller will interview Jed Diamond, PhD, LCSW, Founder and Director of the MenAlive, a health program that helps men, and the women who love them, to live well throughout their lives.

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Host Dr Richard Miller interviews Dr. Robin Zasio, Psy. D., LCSW, a featured doctor on the Emmy-nominated A&E hit series Hoarders, the host of Animal Planet’s My Extreme Animal Phobia, and the author of The Hoarder in You: How to Live a Happier, Healthier, Uncluttered Life.

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bout Julie M. Simon

Julie M. Simon, MA, MBA, MFT is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Life Coach with a full-time private practice specializing in the treatment of overeating and associated mood disorders.

Julie holds a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University, Los Angeles. In addition to her education and twenty plus years experience as a psychotherapist, she is a Certified Personal Trainer with twenty-five years of experience designing personalized exercise and nutrition programs for various populations.

Julie is the creator of The Twelve-Week Emotional Eating Recovery Program, an alternative to dieting that addresses the mind, body and spirit imbalances that underlie overeating. Her professional experience with and personal journey through childhood trauma, weight challenges and body and brain chemistry imbalances led to the creation of the program. She is the author of The Emotional Eater's Repair Manual: A Practical Mind-Body-Spirit Guide for Putting an End to Overeating and Dieting Julie M Simon ED book.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608681513/

Julie offers individual, couple, family and group psychotherapy as well as classes and seminars. In addition to overeating, Julie offers psychotherapy and coaching for the following issues: relationship challenges, including marriage and couples, career development and transitions, work related stress, self-esteem, childhood dysfunction and trauma, grief and loss, co-dependency, self-care skills, and assertiveness training.

Her website is overeatingrecovery.com.

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Bruce H. Lipton, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. He is a stem cell biologist, bestselling author of The Biology of Belief: Unleashing the Power of Consciousness, Matter, & Miracles.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1401923127

Dr. Lipton began his scientific career as a cell biologist. He received his Ph.D. Degree from the University of Virginia at Charlottesville before joining the Department of Anatomy at the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine in 1973. Dr. Lipton’s research on muscular dystrophy, studies employing cloned human stem cells, focused upon the molecular mechanisms controlling cell behavior.

An experimental tissue transplantation technique developed by Dr. Lipton and colleague Dr. Ed Schultz and published in the journal Science was subsequently employed as a novel form of human genetic engineering.

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Hal Stone graduated from UCLA with a Ph.D. in psychology in 1953. He served in the Navy for four years as a psychologist, and later trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. He remained there for 14 years, working as an analyst, and resigned in 1974. He is married to Sidra Stone. She graduated from Barnard with a Bachelor’s degree and received her Ph.D. from the University of Maryland in 1962. different points in her career.

Sidra Stone worked in the mental health field in public service, as well as privately as a psychotherapist. She was involved with the Veteran’s Administration and adolescent treatment centers at different points in her career.

The Stones developed Voice Dialogue based on their theory of the Psychology of Selves. This theory describes how each self relates to the others in relationships, both external and internal. The Psychology of Selves states that there are three dimensions to consciousness:

1. Awareness
2. Experience of the selves
3. Aware ego

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Sasha Cobra. is one of three certified Nityama Bodywork Practitioners in the world, will describe the philosophy and practice of Nityama bodywork.

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Host Dr Richard Miller will present News and Notes in Psychology and Medicine, along with an open microphone during which he will take emails and calls from listeners on topics related to psychology and mental health.

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Englishman Dr. Rupert Sheldrake, author of Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home: And Other Unexplained Powers of Animals, A New Science of Life: The Hypothesis of Morphic Resonance discusses his life, work and morphogenesis.

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Philosopher Charles Bush interviews Dr Richard Miller,As the Founder of the internationally acclaimed "Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program", Miller integrated his techniques of humanistic psychology and psycho-physical fitness training with social model rehabilitation.

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Sonya Nesch, author of "Advocating for Someone with a Mental Illness." and Valerie Williamson, Chairman of the Mendocino County Mental Health Board

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Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad co-authors ofThe Guru Papers: Masks of Authoritarian Power. The book demonstrates that authoritarian control, which once held societies together, is now at the core of personal, social and planetary problems.

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Dr. Dwight Lundell, Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon, has performed over 5000 open heart surgeries. His book is The Cure for Heart Disease: Truth Will Save a Nation.

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Tristan Taormino is a feminist author, columnist, sex educator, activist, editor, speaker, and pornographic film director. Taormino is the author of seven books, including the Firecracker Book Award-winning The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Guide-Anal-Women-Edition/dp/1573442216

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Kristina Wright, author and editor of tales of women's fantasies. Too long have women been the victims in erotic literature. No more. This wife, mother and college professor's life passion is crafting erotic romance to celebrate the fantasies of women.

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Karuna Cayton author of The Misleading Mind: How We Create Our Own Problems and How Buddhist Psychology Can Help Us Solve Them, and Thomas Sterner, author of The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life - Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process.

Two approaches to learning and problem solving.

Which one will work for you?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1577319427

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1608680908/

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Robert Tindall, writer, classical guitarist, practitioner of Zen Buddhism, inveterate traveler; and Susana E. Bustos, psychologist, professor, holotropic breathwork facilitator, Icaros song collector. Both are trained in Peruvian Vegetalismo, the Amazonian Ayahuasca Healing Traditions. Their new book is "Snake Magic".

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Host Dr. Richard Miller interviews Patricia Monaghan, Ph.D, an award-winning visionary writer and poet, organic farmer and winemaker. She is vice president of the Association for the Study of Women and Mythology and a lecturer for the Women's Theological Institute.

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Host Dr. Richard Miller presents News and Notes in Psychology and Medicine along with an open microphone during which he took calls from listeners on topics related to psychology and mental health.

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Listen to Dr. Miller's interview of Rebecca Puhl, Ph.D. Dr. Puhl discusses her extensive research and publications on the prevalence and origins of weight stigma, interventions to reduce weight bias, and the impact of weight stigma on emotional and physical health.

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Dr. Miller interviews guest Dr. Michael Lerner, Rabbi, Clinical Psychologist, Political Activist, Author and Creator of Tikkun magazine.

While at Berkeley, Lerner became a leader in the Berkeley student movement and the Free Speech Movement, chair of the Free Student Union, and chair from 1966-1968 of the Berkeley chapter of the Students for a Democratic Society. After teaching philosophy of law at San Francisco State University, he took a job as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Washington and taught ethics, social and political philosophy, philosophy of literature and culture, and introduction to philosophy.

After serving for five years as dean of the graduate school of psychology at the New College of California (now defunct) in San Francisco, Lerner and his then-wife Nan Fink created a general-interest intellectual magazine called Tikkun: A Bimonthly Jewish Critique of Politics, Culture and Society. Tikkun was started with the intention of challenging the left for its inability to understand the centrality of religious and spiritual concerns in the lives of ordinary Americans. With his associate editor Peter Gabel, Lerner developed a "politics of meaning" to speak to the hunger for meaning that was characteristic of the thousands of people that Lerner and his colleagues were studying at the Institute for Labor and Mental Health. Tikkun was formed to educate the public about the findings of the Institute and to develop some of the implications of that work. However, because it also had an interest in being an "alternative to the voices of Jewish conservatism," Tikkun was criticized by some Jewish groups.

In 1993, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton included the "politics of meaning" in her synthesis of political and social philosophy she was forming. Later in 2002, Lerner organized a group called the Tikkun Community among readers of Tikkun magazine and those who share its editorial vision.

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Dr. Richard Miller hosts a nationally prominent panel of psychotherapists including clinical psychologists, Dr. Lonnie Barbach and Dr. David Geisinger and psychiatrist, Dr. Phil Wolfson. This is a panel discussion and has responses to listeners questions on matters relating to couples and families.

Dr. Lonnie Barbach - Specialist in Human Sexuality

Dr. Lonnie Barbach work as a couple’s therapist for more than three decades and the publication of "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love" crafted with David Geisinger, Ph.D., her partner of 25 years, has defined her as an acknowledged expert on intimate relationships.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0452269482/

She is skilled in a variety of treatment modalities in treating individuals and couples with problems ranging from anxiety and depression to parenting and communication issues.

As one of the first co-directors of clinical training at the University of California San Francisco, Human Sexuality Program, Dr. Barbach created the women's pre-orgasmic group treatment program. Considered a pioneer in her field, her dozen books, translated into an equal number of languages, have sold over 4 million copies in the U.S. alone.

Here's some of Dr. Barbach's books:

For Yourself : The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451202007

Shared Intimacies : Women's Sexual Experience
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385171773/

For Each Other
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385172974/

Visit: Lonniebarbach.com

David Geisinger, Ph. D.

David Geisinger, Ph.D., former Assistant Clinical Professor of medical psychiatry at the University of California Medical Center, Co-Director of the pioneering Behavior Therapy Institute in Sausalito, Research Coordinator and Staff Psychologist and San Francisco’s Center for Special Problems.

He is the author of the book, "Kicking It", and co-author, with his partner, Lonnie Barbach, of the book, "Going the Distance: Finding and Keeping Lifelong Love. Currently he continues in private practice of psychotherapy with individuals and couples in San Francisco.

Dr. Phil Wolfson M.D.

Dr. Phil Wolfson M.D. has taught in three Bay Area graduate schools in psychology and is currently Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCSF as well as in private practice. He is a Founding Member of Heffter Research Institute and practiced MDMA (Ecstasy) psychotherapy in legal period and published on its use in psychotherapy. His book, Noe: A Father-Son Song of Love, Life, Illness, and Death was published in 2011. He is a Vajrayana Buddhist Practitioner.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1556439717/

Visit: Philwolfsonmd.com

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Dennis McKenna on Ethnobotany & Suppression of Research into Psychedelics by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Dr. Miller and his guests, Nevada County Superior Court Judge Tom Anderson, Carol Stanchfield of Turning Point Community Programs in Grass Valley, CA and Kristina Rigosta, Legislative and Policy Counsel of the Treatment Advocacy Center in Arlington VA, discuss Laura's Law (CA Bill 1421), court ordered treatment of persons who have untreated mental illness before they hurt themselves or others.

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Dr. Lonnie Barbach, Dr. David Geisinger and Dr. Phil Wolfson. The four doctors offer free community therapy to callers during the broadcast.

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Jonathan Parker, author of In The Soul Solution, guides the reader step-by-step to a deeper relationship with the soul, tapping into the divine qualities of love, peace, kindness, compassion, joy, bliss, and healing to resolve life's problems.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Soul-Solution-Enlightening-Meditations/dp/1932073523

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First aired: JULY 20 2011

http://bryantwelch.com/

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Dr. Siri Gian Singh Khalsa on MindBody healing and Reichian therapy

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Dr. Lonnie Barbach, who is considered the "Dear Abby" of sexuality and relationships for the baby boom generation. From For Yourself: The Fulfillment of Female Sexuality to The Pause: Positive Approaches to Perimenopause and Menopause, Dr. Barbach has guided countless women through the stages of sexual discovery. Her practical and sage advice is characterized by unjudgmental warmth, always with an emphasis on self-determination and pleasure.

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Mark Blumenthal, Founder and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council, discussing the misbranding of dietary supplements, herbal teas, psycho active plants, among other topics.

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Director Julie Winokur, has released an important film called "Firestorm." The film closely follows a county fire company, revealing that because many people don't have health insurance or access to primary care, they call 911 when they are sick. The Fire Department and the Emergency Room become their only healthcare providers.

Sickness calls are 82% of Fire Department calls, rather than fire-related calls. When fires or major traffic accidents happen, often emergency teams are not available because they are out on sickness calls. In addition, Emergency rooms are full and hospital beds not available. This is a story of a national disaster waiting to happen.

Also on the show were Dave Pimentle, a paramedic and EMS District Captain who has 25 years years experience with the Fire Department and Dr. Lee Weiss, an ER doctor and Regional Medical Director for Emergent Medical Associates. Contributing another viewpoint on the show was a patient who saw firsthand what happens when you don't have access to healthcare and have to call 911 when sick.
Dial 911 For Healthcare with news and notes.

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Dr. Richard Miller, Miscellaneous by Dr. Richard L. Miller

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Crooked Beauty is a poetic documentary that chronicles artist-activist Jacks McNamara's transformative journey from childhood abuse to psych ward patient to pioneering mental health advocacy.

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Bill McMillan, PTSD VA therapist, Mike Maxwell, and Vietnam vet Bob Eaton will be interviewed on their moving film: The Welcome: A Healing Journey for War Veterans and their Families, which will show at the upcoming Mendocino Film Festival.

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Dr. Phil Wolfson MD, author of the memoir of his son, Noe, chronicling the boy’s four-year struggle with leukemia, his untimely death at sixteen, and the aftermath is presented from three perspectives.

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Dr. Kevin Fauteux outlines key steps and reveals how to proactively protect ourselves and others when a person unleashes unpredictable fury.

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Kristin Neff, author of "Self-Compassion", discussing the relentless search for high self-esteem that has become a virtual religion; and a tyrannical one at that.

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Alena Guest, CMT, Hypnosis: Everything you wanted to know but never asked.

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Ask Dr Miller - This program will consist of "News and Notes" in psychology and medicine followed by your calls related to topics psychological. This is an opportunity for you to get live consultation.

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"Aaron Vargas: Unanswered Questions" Mind Body Health & Politics explored some of the questions raised by the recent sentencing of Aaron Vargas, who received a nine year state prison sentence after killing Darrell McNeill, a neighbor, Boy Scout leader, and businessman who reportedly sexually and psychologically molested Vargas for twenty years. McNeill also reportedly molested other local boys.

The show included interviews with experts in the area of psychology and criminal law, as well as the Vargas family and Vargas prosecutor Assistant District Attorney Beth Norman.

Guests also included Dr. David Wolfe of the University of Toronto, a psychologist and author specializing in abuse and trauma issues affecting children and youth and Gerry Schwartzbach, a nationally respected criminal law attorney with over 40 years of courtroom experience.

On this show, Mind Body Health & Politics explored whether law enforcement, probation departments, district attorney's offices, and judges have the willingness and the expertise to consider the effects of long term sexual molestation on molestation victims such as Aaron Vargas.

The guests provided a variety of views and perspectives on this controversial case and the challenging issues it raised.

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Dr. Miller explores the obesity epidemic in the United States.

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Mind Body Health & Politics explores some of the questions raised by the recent sentencing of Aaron Vargas, who received a nine year state prison sentence after killing Darrell McNeill, a neighbor, Boy Scout leader, and businessman who reportedly sexually and psychologically molested Vargas for twenty years. McNeill also reportedly molested other local boys.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Touching_Home

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews James Morone, co-author of the new book, "The Heart of Power: Health & Politics in the Oval Office". This timely and compelling book, subtitled "The 8 Dirty Rotten Secrets of Healthcare Reform," explains how presidential actions ultimately determine either the success or failure of healthcare reform. James Morone is Chairman of the Political Science Department at Brown University.

Also participating in the exchange is Jeff Kane, MD, who argues that the current healthcare debate has nothing to do with healthcare. He contends that the debate is all about economics. Dr. Kane is a practicing physician and Director of Psychosocial Education at Sierra Nevada Cancer Center in Grass Valley, California and authors the lively blog Healthcare As Though People Matter.

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Dr. Richard Miller interviews Paula Derrow, editor of the popular Random House book "Behind the Bedroom Door" and three of the book's writers. Ms. Derrow is Articles Director at Self Magazine and teaches writing at CUNY Journalism School. She has worked for Glamour, Harper's Bazaar and Lifetime magazines. She has a degree in British history and literature from Harvard University.

Ms. Derrow's book is a funny, honest, and enlightening collection of stories by women of many ages and backgrounds talking about the lessons and foibles of living and loving in America today. The writers have learned valuable lessons about love and sex which they share with humor and grace, reassuring us that whatever we feel, whatever we do or don't do in the bedroom, we're not alone.

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Host Dr. Richard Miller interviews Ecosexuals, Dr. Annie Sprinkle and Dr. Beth Stephens. Beth Stephens & Annie Sprinkle have been pollinating the ecosex movement through art, theory, practice and activism since 2004, they’ve produced numerous performance art works, ecosex symposiums, weddings to nature entities, workshops, walking tours, and art exhibits. Their award winning documentary, Goodbye Gauley Mountain: An Ecosexual Love Story played many film festivals and is on iTunes. Beth is an Art Professor at UC Santa Cruz, Annie earned Ph.D. in Human Sexuality. Their new film is Water Makes Us Wet, about the pleasures and politics of water. They aim to make the environmental movement a little more sexy, fun and diverse. http://sexecology.org/

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Tamara Holder, attorney, author and television commentator who courageously blew the whistle on sexual harassment at Fox Television and was fired and blacklisted.

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Host Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Tony Buettner of the Blue Zones about those people--in 5 areas of the world--who live the longest and most healthy lives. Tony Buettner is a national spokesperson and senior leader at Blue Zones. He is a former expedition member, explorer, entrepreneur, and a Blue Zones and Blue Zones Project expert.