For many people, ayahuasca first appears as an unfamiliar word attached to mystery, fear, or curiosity. Some hear about it through podcasts, others through social media, and many initially place it in the same category as recreational psychedelics without understanding how different the actual experience can be. For Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat […]
In just a few years, what began as a small ayahuasca retreat in the Colombian countryside has developed into one of the most recognized affordable retreat projects in the region. For Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra, the journey has not simply been about expansion, but about proving that plant medicine can remain accessible, grounded, and […]
For many people, ayahuasca begins as curiosity. A story from a friend, a documentary, a passing mention that lingers longer than expected. For Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia, that curiosity arrived gradually — not as one dramatic invitation, but as a slow series of encounters that eventually became impossible to ignore. […]
Building an Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia: Sam Believ on Calling, Chaos, and Healing Running an ayahuasca retreat center is often imagined as peaceful, spiritual work — ceremonies in nature, deep conversations, and transformative healing. But behind every ceremony lies a complex operation that resembles far more than a spiritual project. In this candid conversation, Sam […]
Cannabis is often viewed through extremes — either as a harmful substance or as a miracle cure. In a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation, educator and coach Ryan Sprague shares a more nuanced perspective: cannabis is neither inherently good nor bad, but a powerful tool that reflects the intention behind its use. Through his own […]
Music has always played a powerful role in human culture, but within ceremonial spaces it can take on an entirely different meaning. In this deeply reflective conversation, medicine musician Ayla Schafer shares how her journey through personal crisis, travel, and plant medicine transformed her relationship with music — turning songs into a form of prayer, […]
Social anxiety can feel invisible to others yet overwhelming to those who live with it. In this deeply personal conversation, plant-medicine facilitator Adrian Lozano shares how his struggles with shame, anxiety, and emotional suppression eventually led him toward ayahuasca and other healing practices. Rather than presenting a simple success story, his journey reveals how transformation […]
The world of psychedelic facilitation is often romanticized — visions of healing ceremonies, spiritual breakthroughs, and transformation. But behind the scenes, the role of a facilitator can be deeply demanding, emotionally complex, and shaped by personal hardship. In this honest and vulnerable conversation, Phoenix White shares how her difficult life experiences ultimately guided her toward […]
Professional athletes often embody strength, resilience, and discipline — but behind the scenes, many carry deep physical and emotional wounds. In a powerful conversation, former UFC title contender Ian McCall shares how his life shifted from elite combat sports into psychedelic research and coaching. His story is not simply about plant medicine; it is about […]
In recent years, conversations around trauma healing have shifted away from purely cognitive approaches toward more embodied practices. In this insightful discussion, somatic therapist and educator Joshua Sylvae joins host Sam Believ to explore how somatic experiencing and psychedelic work intersect — not as competing methods, but as complementary paths toward nervous-system regulation and deeper […]