In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin sits down with medicine woman and transpersonal psychotherapist Lena Franklin to explore grief as a doorway to the sacred, bridging clinical training with embodied spirituality, and the ethics of honoring indigenous lineages in modern practice.
Find full show notes and links here: http://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-323?ref=278
Lena shares “The Method,” a 90-day psilocybin-supported program (three ceremonies + twelve sessions), and reflects on lessons learned from founding and composting EAST Institute. She also previews a new global initiative for advanced, root-cause healing centers and closes with an embodied playbook for leaders.
Lena Franklin is a Medicine Woman, Transpersonal Psychotherapist, and transformational speaker bridging ancient medicine and modern technology for global healing. Raised in a Buddhist/Christian home, she integrates Eastern philosophy with Western neuroscience across meditation, energy medicine, longevity, human optimization, plant medicine, shamanism, and ecosystem consciousness. Formally trained in psychology (B.S.) and clinical social work (M.S.) at the University of Georgia, Lena weaves lineages from Mahayana Buddhism, Mopan Maya Ancient Medicine, Q’ero Peruvian shamanism, and Shipibo wisdom into ceremonial and teaching work worldwide. She founded The QUINTESSENCE Approach for activating Revolutionary Medicine Woman leadership, The BEING Method for mindfulness-based human potential, and The Meditation Membership of audio/video teachings. Her work has been featured in Vogue, The New York Times, Telegraph, and more.
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In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes researcher and entrepreneur Sterling Cooley to explore xenon—the noble gas with surprising psychedelic-like effects. Sterling shares how his own health crisis led him from nitrous oxide to xenon, and why he believes gaseous anesthetics open a unique window into consciousness.
Find full show notes and links here:
https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-322/?ref=278
Sterling connects xenon to microtubule research (Orch OR), contrasts it with ketamine and nitrous, and discusses harm-reduction considerations, trip reports, and integration. The discussion bridges Sterling’s personal journey with emerging scientific theories, offering a thoughtful look at xenon’s potential role in consciousness and healing.
Guest Bio
Sterling Cooley is a researcher and biotech entrepreneur working in ultrasound neuromodulation and noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation. Over the past decade, he has collaborated with Dr. Stuart Hameroff on microtubules, quantum consciousness, and novel anesthetics. Sterling is focused on xenon, a noble gas with both anesthetic and psychedelic-like properties. Through his community at Skool.com/Ultra, he supports safe, informed exploration of xenon’s therapeutic and consciousness-expanding potential.
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Skool.com/Ultra (Sterling’s community and xenon classroom)
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Disclaimer: Third Wave’s content is for educational and informational purposes only. We do not provide medical or legal advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making decisions about your mental or physical health. Nothing here is intended as encouragement to use any substance, and we do not advocate for illegal activity.
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Lana Pribic, ICF Professional Coach, co-founder of Kanna Wellness, and host of the Modern Psychedelics Podcast. Lana shares her deep reverence for African medicines—iboga and kanna—and why she resists quick-fix narratives in psychedelic culture.
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-321/?ref=278
She opens up about her ceremonies in Baja, the long arc of iboga integration, and the role of preparation, intention, and patience in this work. The conversation also explores kanna as a gentle daily ally and the cultural roots of both medicines.
Lana Pribic, M.Sc., is an ICF Professional Coach, co-founder of Kanna Wellness, and producer & host of the Modern Psychedelics Podcast. With over 230 hours of professional training and four coaching certifications, Lana specializes in psychedelically-informed coaching, guiding individuals through profound inner transformation. Based in Ontario, she merges the power of psychedelics, consciousness, and self-discovery to facilitate deeply impactful experiences. When she's not immersed in her work, you'll likely find her dancing to electronic beats, creating art in the kitchen, practicing patience with her cat, curating her dream wardrobe, or diving into a book.
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In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Jonny Miller, founder of Nervous System Mastery and host of the Curious Humans podcast.
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-320/?ref=278
Jonny shares how the loss of his fiancée led him into grief work, psychedelics, and the study of stress physiology. Their conversation explores the three pillars of nervous system mastery—interoception, capacity, and emotional fluidity—and how these skills can prepare and support deeper psychedelic experiences. Jonny also reflects on the risks of hypoarousal and dissociation in psychedelic and breathwork practices, the role of relational health in nervous system regulation, and how high performers can shift from burnout-driven “dirty fuel” toward cleaner sources of creativity and joy.
Jonny Miller is the founder of Nervous System Mastery, a five-week experiential training that helps high performers cultivate calm, resilience, and embodied aliveness. His approach blends evidence-based protocols with practices drawn from breathwork, meditation, and stress physiology. Jonny also co-created the Stateshift App and designed the Calm Cards Deck, practical tools for daily nervous system regulation. Jonny hosts the Curious Humans podcast, where he explores themes of resilience, embodiment, and curiosity with leading thinkers. His work centers on making nervous system literacy accessible for both personal growth and psychedelic preparation.
Highlights:
• How grief and loss opened Jonny to psychedelics
• The three pillars of nervous system mastery
• Safety as the foundation for psychedelic depth
• Breath as a brake or accelerator in journeys
• Why he separates psychedelics from intense breathwork
• Mapping different medicines to nervous system skills
• The risks of shutdown and dissociation in high doses
• Re-regulating after destabilizing psychedelic experiences
• Relational health as nervous system nourishment
• Shifting from burnout to clean energy in leadership
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In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Brian Tierney, a licensed somatic psychologist and professor of neuroscience.
Find full show notes and links here:
https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-319/?ref=278
Dr. Tierney unpacks the emerging paradigm of network neuroscience and how our brain’s default mode, salience, and task networks interact with trauma, attention, and healing.
Dr. Tierney is a somatic psychologist, neuroscience and psychopharmacology professor, and psychotherapist with a passion for integrative healing. Specializing in trauma resolution, couples therapy, and somatic experiencing, he blends cutting-edge science with ancient practices to create transformative healing experiences. He is the host of the Boundless Body podcast and the author of the upcoming book Visionary Somatics.
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