Paul F. Austin sits down with Dr. Alexander Shester to discuss his new book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine & Shamanism.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

In this intimate, in-person conversation, Alex humbly shares his wisdom and perspective from decades of experience as a psychiatrist and visionary psychedelic explorer. He sheds light on the intersection of shamanism, psychedelics, and mental health, and recalls captivating stories from his time being mentored by the late psychologist and psychedelic researcher Ralph Metzner.

Alexander Shester, M.D. is a medical doctor, board-certified psychiatrist, and Jungian Analyst. He has over thirty years of experience studying and participating in guided Vision Quests using shamanic principles in nature settings. His recently-published book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism, is his personal first-hand memoir of using entheogens including ayahuasca, jurema, psilocybin, San Pedro cactus, peyote, iboga, toad, and more, for deep spiritual exploration and his own healing journey.

Highlights:

• On visionary art and the power of psychedelic plant medicines.
• Ayahuasca and the transpersonal journey into the collective unconscious.
• Alex recalls his primary mentor, Ralph Metzner: his visionary circles and contributions to the
• psychedelic renaissance.
• The value of community in Alexander’s healing.
• Alex’s paths to psychiatry and psychedelics.
• How Alex’s psychedelic experiences informed his psychiatry practice.
• What can shamanism offer to the field of psychiatry?
• Remembering our nature-relatedness with the aid of plant medicines.
• Endarkenment: facing the shadow.
• Alex’s sage advice for those seeking psychedelic experiences.

Episode Links:

• Alex’s book, Visionary Healing: Psychedelic Medicine and Shamanism

These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.

Episode sponsors:

This episode is brought you by Psyched Wellness, creators of Calm, an over-the-counter Amanita muscaria extract that may help to reduce stress, ease muscular tension and promote restorative sleep. Go to shop.psyched-wellness.com and use code THIRDWAVE23 to get 15% off.

This episode is sponsored by Beckley Retreats, a leading holistic wellbeing company that offers transformative self-development programs by leveraging the science-backed power of psychedelics in concert with supportive therapeutic modalities. As a trusted partner of Third Wave, we strongly recommend the upcoming retreats for Beckley in Jamaica, as well as many other locations. Head to go.beckleyretreats.com/thirdwave to book your transformational psilocybin program today.

This podcast is brought to you by Third Wave's Mushroom Grow Kit. Get the tools you need to grow mushrooms along with an in-depth guide to finding spores.

Anna Yusim, M.D., author of Fulfilled, joins Paul F. Austin for a conversation on the intersection of science, spirituality, and psychedelics.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

Dr. Anna Yusim is a Board-Certified, Stanford- and Yale-educated Psychiatrist & Executive Coach with a private practice in New York City and Connecticut.  She is the best-selling author of Fulfilled: How the Science of Spirituality Can Help You Live a Happier, More Meaningful Life.  On the clinical faculty at Yale Medical School, Dr. Yusim is presently creating a Spirituality & Mental Health Center there.  With clients including Forbes 500 CEOs, Olympic athletes, A-list actors and actresses, and the Chairs of academic departments at top universities, Dr. Anna Yusim has helped over 2,000 people in 60 countries achieve greater impact, purpose, and joy in their life and work.

As a highly sought-after speaker, Dr. Yusim gives keynotes for physicians and professionals worldwide on topics related to mental health and spirituality, thriving post-COVID, preventing burnout, meaning-making, and resilience.  For healthcare professionals, corporate leaders, and community members, she also conducts workshops to empower individuals to sharpen their intuition, cultivate authenticity, awaken self-compassion, enhance their capacity for empathy, and improve their ability to connect with others.

Connect with Dr. Yusim at www.annayusim.com or at @annayusim on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

Highlights:

• Dr. Yusim’s research on stress with Dr. Robert Sapolsky at Stanford.
• How Dr. Yusim’s relationship to stress has shifted throughout her life and career.
• Dr. Yusim’s path to founding the Spirituality & Mental Health Center at Yale.
• Does psychedelic therapy always need to have a spiritual component?
• Dr. Yusim explains her book, Fulfilled.
• Psychic vs. psychotic: schizophrenia, channeling, and shamanism.
• Dr. Yusim’s forthcoming book on the science of miracles.
• Making your unconscious conscious to find freedom, choice, and healing.
• Dr. Yusim’s executive coaching work.

Episode Links:

• Dr. Yusim’s website
• Dr. Yusim’s book, Fulfilled
• Dr. Yusim’s article on sleep in MindBodyGreen

These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.

This episode is sponsored by:

Beckley Retreats, a leading holistic wellbeing company that offers transformative self-development programs by leveraging the science-backed power of psychedelics in concert with supportive therapeutic modalities. As a trusted partner of Third Wave, we strongly recommend the upcoming retreats for Beckley in Jamaica, as well as many other locations. Head to go.beckleyretreats.com/thirdwave to book your transformational psilocybin program today.

Third Wave's Mushroom Grow Kit. Get the tools you need to grow mushrooms along with an in-depth guide to finding spores.

Paul F. Austin is joined by Alex Atwood, Founder & CEO of GravyWork to talk plant medicine, transformational coaching, & more.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

Alex Atwood is a multifaceted, purpose-driven leader with more than 20 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur who helmed four startups in the hospitality and staffing space. He’s also a coach in the emerging psychedelics field, with a focus on optimizing human potential. Alex is a podcaster, public speaker, angel investor in firms that help build a better world, and philanthropist with a soft spot for owners and operators of family businesses.

Alex is working towards an ICF certification in organizational well-being. He has been a coach for Landmark Worldwide, a personal and professional development company, and elevation leader for 1heart. He has led workshops on integrity and self-actualization with the goal of helping attendees realize their own potential and find greater self-esteem, fulfillment, creativity, and productivity.

Highlights:

• Alex’s transformational ayahuasca experience at 1heart.
• How Landmark impacted Alex’s trajectory.
• The ineffable wisdom of plant medicine.
• Alex’s experience in Third Wave’s Coaching Certification Program.
• Integrating insights from psychedelics into business and daily life.
• Alex’s exciting projects on the horizon.

Key Links:

• Alex’s website
• Alex’s podcast, The Alchemist Lounge
• Alex on LinkedIn
• Paul F. Austin’s episode on Alex’s podcast

This episode is sponsored by: 

• Beckley Retreats, a leading holistic wellbeing company that offers transformative self-development programs by leveraging the science-backed power of psychedelics in concert with supportive therapeutic modalities. Head to go.beckleyretreats.com/thirdwave to book your transformational psilocybin program today.
  
  
• Apollo Neuro, the first scientifically validated wearable that actively improves your body’s resilience to stress. Apollo was developed by a friend of Third Wave, Dr. David Rabin M.D Ph.D., a neuroscientist and board-certified psychiatrist who has been studying the impact of chronic stress in humans for nearly 15 years. Third Wave listeners get 15% off—just use this link.
  
  
• Third Wave's Mushroom Grow Kit. Get the tools you need to grow mushrooms along with an in-depth guide to finding spores.

Tracey Tee, founder of Moms on Mushrooms, joins Paul F. Austin to talk about safe, intentional psychedelic use for mothers.

Find episode links, summary, and transcript here.

Tracey Tee has been actively involved in the momosphere for over 10 years, first co-creating and starring in the nationally touring cult-hit comedy show for moms, The Pump and Dump Show. She simultaneously co-produced the Band of Mothers Podcast and served as co-founder and CEO of The Pump and Dump Show’s umbrella brand, Band of Mothers Media. During her own journey with psilocybin amidst the pandemic, Tracey began to feel called to support moms in a deeper and more meaningful way. In 2022, she launched an online microdosing course created exclusively for moms called M.O.M. — “Moms on Mushrooms.”

Tracey’s goal is to bring moms together through the sacred use of plant medicine for a shared journey of personal growth and healing. She is dedicated to crafting a supportive container for mothers that embodies the Sacred Feminine, gives reverence to our elders and original cultures, and acts as an example of a redefined way to engage in a New Earth as a consciously created model of “doing business.”

Highlights:

• Tracey’s healing journey with psilocybin and microdosing that led to Moms on Mushrooms.
• The unique needs and challenges for moms considering psychedelics.
• Tracey on opening up to her about her own psychedelic use.
• Reclaiming rites of passage in healthy, informed ways.
• What Moms on Mushrooms offers its members.
• On microdosing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
• Microdosing and postpartum depression: a recipe for success.
• Tracey’s vision for the future: advocacy, education, and healing.
• Connect with Moms on Mushrooms.

Episode Links:

• Moms On Mushrooms
• Book, A Really Good Day by Ayelet Waldman
• Third Wave's Mushroom Grow Kit
• The Pump and Dump Show
• Band of Mothers Podcast