In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Austin West.

Austin West is a certified psychedelic medicine practitioner, microdosing philosopher, and founder of Entheo Holistics. He specializes in helping men forge a life of purpose, power, and authenticity through psychedelic healing and intentional microdosing.

We touch upon topics such as:

• Austin’s story of addiction and transformation (01:06 – 05:48)
• The impact of microdosing on his healing journey (04:55 – 05:48)
• How trauma, especially father wounds, can lead to addiction (10:18 – 13:41)
• Porn addiction, erectile dysfunction, and healing from it (14:47 – 22:42)
• Synchronicities and the ‘creator mindset’ (26:07 – 31:57)
• Ayahuasca revealing his suppressed grief and a life-changing message (36:56 – 42:38)
• The fear of change and trusting the medicine process (42:38 – 47:22)
• His microdosing company and its impact on mental health (47:32 – 52:22)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com.

Find more about Austin West and his work at IamAustinWest.com.

Podcast Bio – Ayahuasca Podcast: Sam Believ with Lex Pelger

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Lex Pelger.

Lex Pelger is a science communicator, writer, and educator specializing in psychedelics, cannabis, and human consciousness. With a background in biochemistry and molecular biology, he bridges complex scientific research with the public. Lex has authored graphic novels about cannabis, led storytelling events on psychedelics, and currently publishes Cannabinoids and the People, a newsletter covering the latest cannabinoid science.

We touch upon topics of:

• (00:48 – 02:42) Lex’s journey into psychedelics and plant medicine
• (02:56 – 04:50) Science, mysticism, and the study of the “supernormal”
• (05:28 – 07:13) What it means to be a “drug writer” and bridging the knowledge gap
• (07:44 – 10:08) Cannabis and grandmothers: why older adults should consider cannabinoids
• (10:51 – 12:46) Social and cultural impact of cannabis in families
• (13:52 – 18:55) The power of storytelling vs. clinical studies in changing perceptions
• (19:30 – 20:55) Psychedelics as a cultural tool: structured rites of passage in society
• (21:12 – 23:36) Challenges in visually depicting psychedelic experiences in media
• (24:49 – 27:41) Lex’s personal Ayahuasca experience in New York
• (28:43 – 29:54) Traditional vs. modern Ayahuasca ceremonies
• (30:45 – 33:37) “We are drugs” – the role of endogenous psychedelics in human experience
• (34:30 – 38:48) Understanding the Endocannabinoid System and its role in homeostasis
• (38:53 – 44:24) Lex’s favorite cannabinoids and their unique properties
• (44:53 – 50:39) The benefits and science of CBD: anxiety, pain, neuroprotection & sleep
• (50:48 – 53:40) Cannabis, autism, and groundbreaking cases of psychedelic therapy
• (53:51 – 55:39) Lex’s work, books, and research contributions

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com.

Find more about Lex Pelger at http://www.lexpelger.com and his Substack newsletter, Cannabinoids and the People. You can also follow his cannabinoid science updates at CVResearch.info.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Daniel Shankin, a mindfulness coach and psychedelic integration specialist. Daniel is the founder of TAM Integration, which provides support, education, and integration circles for those working with psychedelics. He also leads the Mountain TAM Psychedelic Integration Coaching Program, training emerging facilitators in integration practices.

Topics Covered:

• (00:34 – 02:21) Daniel’s early psychedelic experiences and how they shaped his path
• (02:23 – 03:49) The evolution of integration and its growing importance in psychedelic use
• (04:11 – 07:39) What psychedelic integration actually means and how it works in practice
• (08:28 – 10:52) Defining enlightenment: is it real, and what does it look like?
• (12:20 – 17:43) Relationships, marriage, and how psychedelics impact personal growth
• (18:24 – 19:55) Couples using psychedelics together—how should they integrate their experiences?
• (20:52 – 26:44) Working with difficult psychedelic experiences—when to seek clinical support
• (27:10 – 29:08) PTSD, CPTSD, and the potential of psychedelics in healing trauma
• (30:19 – 34:29) The importance of a supportive environment post-ceremony
• (35:09 – 38:54) The thin line between spiritual experiences and psychological projections
• (41:15 – 43:07) Shadow work—what it truly means and how to approach it
• (43:12 – 46:48) Mindfulness and integration: how self-awareness helps psychedelic experiences land
• (47:00 – 50:32) The ego and the default mode network—understanding the role of self-identity in psychedelic work
• (52:19 – 55:32) The Mountain TAM Psychedelic Integration Coaching Program and how it trains integration coaches

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com.

Find out more about Daniel Shankin and his work at http://www.tamintegration.com or follow him on Instagram at @tamintegration.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Matt Zemon.

Matt is an educator, author, and leader in psychedelic wellness, specializing in the impact of psychedelics on mental health. Holding a master’s degree in psychology and neuroscience, he has authored several bestselling books, including Psychedelics for Everyone and The Veterans Guide to Psychedelics. His latest book, The Beginner’s Guide to Psychedelics, explores how to safely navigate the world of plant medicines.

We touch upon topics of:

• Matt’s first psychedelic experience and its impact (00:57)
• His journey exploring different psychedelics worldwide (01:22)
• The role of Ayahuasca in veterans’ healing (03:01)
• Why veterans respond well to Ayahuasca therapy (04:30)
• The importance of multi-night Ayahuasca retreats (06:19)
• Launching a nonprofit for veteran-only Ayahuasca retreats (08:17)
• Potential challenges of veteran-exclusive Ayahuasca groups (09:14)
• The idea of UFC athlete Ayahuasca retreats (11:28)
• The connection between psychedelics, PTSD, and trauma healing (13:35)
• Psychedelics as catalysts, not cures (18:11)
• Integration: What to do after an Ayahuasca experience (19:14)
• The power of community in sustaining psychedelic healing (20:35)
• Bringing psychedelics into family settings (25:09)
• The role of psychedelics in modern rites of passage (28:38)
• Spirituality’s role in psychedelic healing (46:03)
• The future of psychedelics and concerns about commercialization (49:14)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com.

Find more about Matt Zemon at http://www.mattzemon.com or follow him on LinkedIn and Instagram. His new book The Beginner’s Guide to Psychedelics is available on Amazon.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Julian Vayne.

Julian is a British occultist, psychonaut, and author known for his work in chaos magic, entheogenic spirituality, and modern paganism. He’s the author of several books including Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony, and is co-organizer of the Breaking Convention conference in the UK.

We touch upon topics of:

• Julian’s background and path to psychedelics and magic (00:50)
• Magic as “the technology of the imagination” (05:06)
• Aleister Crowley’s psychedelic rituals and Julian’s first LSD experience (05:59–09:48)
• Navigating psychedelics using magical frameworks like Hermetic Kabbalah (07:27)
• Language around drugs, medicines, and entheogens (08:23–09:19)
• Placebo effect, imagination, and healing (29:57–30:27)
• The Western magical tradition and its roots in Egypt (20:06–22:06)
• Hermes Trismegistus and the Hermetic tradition (22:26–24:40)
• Magic vs. religion and the self-experimentation of spiritual practice (24:40–25:39)
• Using ayahuasca for spiritual gifts and personal transformation (26:45–29:27)
• Spirit animals, ego inflation, and spiritual humility (33:43–34:29)
• Do people have specific spiritual gifts or all of them? (35:27–38:17)
• Spirits and animism explained through real-world analogies (39:36–44:22)
• What shamans do and how they interact with spirits (44:22–47:42)
• Lost European shamanic traditions and their traces today (47:42–52:38)
• Saunas, altered states, and ancient European heat rituals (53:06–57:46)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Julian Vayne at http://www.julianvayne.com or on social media @julianvayne. Also check out the Breaking Convention conference and their YouTube channel for more of his work.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bill Richards.

Bill Richards, PhD, is a pioneering clinical psychologist and researcher in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Known for his work with psilocybin and LSD since the 1960s, he contributed to groundbreaking studies at Johns Hopkins University and authored the influential book Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences.

We touch upon topics of:

• How Bill began psychedelic research in Germany in the 1960s (01:18–03:39)
• The psychedelic research scene in the U.S. from the 60s to 70s and its shutdown (04:31–07:52)
• The revival of psychedelic research at Johns Hopkins (08:13–08:32)
• The potential of psychedelics to evolve human consciousness (09:30–11:25)
• The role of mystical experiences in healing and behavioral change (13:02–16:43)
• Spiritual language and intuitive knowledge (17:37–20:56)
• Psychedelics and reducing fear of death (22:26–27:18)
• Personal beliefs on life after death and consciousness (27:54–30:56)
• Future of psychedelics in medicine, religion, and education (34:31–36:28)
• Educational value of mystical experiences (39:42–44:41)
• Psychedelics as catalysts and keys, not the source of the experience (46:21–48:36)
• Best non-psychedelic practices for accessing transcendence (50:21–54:44)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Bill Richards by reading his book Sacred Knowledge, available in 10 languages including Conocimiento Sagrado in Spanish.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Jeronimo Mazarrasa.

Jeronimo is a community activist and the Director of Social Innovation at ICEERS (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service). With over 20 years of experience in the psychedelic field, he has dedicated his life to studying how traditional plant medicine practices, especially Ayahuasca, can be integrated safely and respectfully into the modern world.

We touch upon topics of:

• Jeronimo’s background in film and Ayahuasca activism (00:53)
• The globalization of Ayahuasca and his role at ICEERS (03:41)
• Maximizing the benefits of plant medicine (07:16)
• Why prohibition and secrecy hinder collective learning (09:20)
• Minimizing harm: physical, psychological, and legal risks (11:50)
• Discernment and interpreting Ayahuasca messages (14:51)
• Tools to avoid impulsive decisions after ceremony (22:11)
• Cultural appropriation vs. inspiration in Ayahuasca (30:24)
• How to care for others in ceremony without physical contact (40:12)
• Indigenous wisdom and what the Western psychedelic field can learn (45:00)
• Ayahuasca for prevention, not just treatment (54:05)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Jeronimo Mazarrasa at http://www.ICEERS.org and http://www.ICEERS.academy

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Brigitte Kolibab.

Brigitte is a yoga teacher, ceremony facilitator, and long-time student of both Eastern spiritual practices and Amazonian plant medicine. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between the yogic path and the Ayahuasca experience, offering integration tools through body-based practices. She co-leads the Yoga & Integration retreats at LaWayra.

We touch upon topics of:

• The impact of psychedelics on someone with an existing spiritual practice (00:03:40)
• How Ayahuasca can enhance your yoga and meditation, and vice versa (00:06:10)
• Using yoga as a tool for integration (00:10:45)
• The Yoga & Integration retreats at LaWayra (00:13:25)
• Psychedelic states that can be achieved through yoga alone (00:17:00)
• The role of synchronicity and how Ayahuasca amplifies it (00:20:30)
• How Ayahuasca influences manifestation (00:23:40)
• Reflections on our first and most recent yoga retreats (00:28:15)
• Why we’re planning more Yoga & Integration retreats (00:31:00)
• How LaWayra has changed in the last two years (00:35:20)
• Her favorite moments from the retreats (00:39:00)
• Parallels between the yogic system and the Ayahuasca path (00:42:10)
• Crossovers between Ayahuasca and other modalities like breathwork and meditation (00:47:30)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Brigitte Kolibab on Instagram at @b.khonest

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Robin Kurland. Robin is a licensed marriage and family therapist and psychedelic integration specialist with nearly 20 years of experience. Based in Sacramento, she works with trauma, addiction, sexual abuse survivors, and veterans, blending expressive arts, embodiment, and Internal Family Systems therapy into her healing approach.

We touch upon topics of:

• Robin’s journey from dancer to therapist (00:44)
• Her first spiritual experience with death (01:20)
• The meaning of integration (05:02)
• Using art and journaling after ceremonies (06:27)
• Integration of difficult psychedelic experiences (07:11)
• Long-term integration and internal protectors (08:39)
• How expressive arts help with trauma (10:03)
• Drawing as psychedelic integration (12:00)
• Somatic and visual techniques for post-ceremony art (14:00)
• How to use dance after a ceremony (16:15)
• Dancing during ceremonies and movement as integration (18:12)
• Interpretation vs expression in integration art (21:16)
• Psychedelics and addiction recovery (31:41)
• The link between 12-step programs and psychedelics (34:44)
• Shadow work and Internal Family Systems (41:02)
• Supporting someone with limited access to integration (26:46)
• What is pre-integration and why it matters (49:40)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Robin at robinkurland.com or on Instagram at @psychedelicrecovery_

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Gabor Maté. Gabor is a renowned physician, speaker, and author best known for his groundbreaking work on trauma, addiction, child development, and the mind-body connection. His books include In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts and The Myth of Normal.

We touch upon topics of:

• Gabor’s personal healing journey (2:00)
• His first Ayahuasca ceremony (5:10)
• The importance of community in healing (7:06)
• How trauma causes the heart to close (9:00)
• The wisdom of trauma and adaptations (12:23)
• Modern society as a root of disconnection (15:00)
• Accumulated trauma and “death by a thousand cuts” (20:31)
• How Ayahuasca helps addiction by addressing pain (23:59)
• The risk of Ayahuasca evangelism (27:11)
• Psychedelics and facing death (28:09)
• Parenting and emotional availability (32:10)
• The role of play in healing (37:15)
• Dealing with criticism and healing from not being seen (40:42)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Gabor Maté at http://www.drgabormate.com

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Emmy-nominated documentary director Sam Lipman-Stern. Known for HBO’s Telemarketers, Sam opens up about his journey from media burnout and antidepressant use to profound emotional transformation through Ayahuasca, which inspired their upcoming documentary.

We touch upon topics of:

• Synchronicity and how they met
• Initial skepticism and misconceptions about Ayahuasca
• DMT visions and being called to the jungle
• Stopping antidepressants and mental health struggles
• Burnout and disillusionment with mainstream media
• Rebranding Colombia from cocaine to Ayahuasca
• The power of storytelling and why this documentary matters
• Using humor and depth in the documentary
• Ayahuasca showing childhood purpose and healing trauma
• Emotional awareness and masculinity
• Cultural conditioning, parenting, and emotional repression
• Challenges of post-Ayahuasca integration
• Sam’s daily integration routine

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Sam Lipman-Stern at @sam_lipmanstern and watch Telemarketers on HBO Max.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Lana Rose Berger, a holistic health advocate and the founder of Conscious Concierge, a wellness service offering personalized guidance for those exploring alternative healing modalities.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

• Lana’s journey from a high-pressure career in New York to holistic healing (1:29)
• The role of Ayahuasca in her personal transformation (3:49)
• Challenges of integrating Ayahuasca experiences in modern life (5:58)
• The concept of karmic entanglements and lineage healing (17:54)
• Responsible approaches to recommending Ayahuasca (19:58)
• Conscious entrepreneurship and integrating spirituality in business (41:29)
• The impact of AI on conscious living and future perspectives (46:42)
• Common challenges faced by high achievers seeking spiritual growth (33:26)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com.

To learn more about Lana Rose Berger, visit http://www.yourconsciousconcierge.com or follow her on Instagram at @yourconsciousconcierge and TikTok at @consciousconcierge.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Micah Stover, a certified psychedelic somatic therapist, educator, and author of Healing Psychedelics. Based in Mexico, Micah specializes in trauma healing through plant medicine, blending clinical models with indigenous traditions. Her work is rooted in personal experience with complex trauma, motherhood, and cross-cultural wisdom.

We touch upon topics of:

• Micah’s traumatic birth story and healing journey (01:28)
• Birth and motherhood as psychedelic experiences (04:31)
• Postpartum depression and ancestral trauma (06:11)
• The role of MDMA and psilocybin in healing (12:39)
• Nature as a co-facilitator in integration (16:28)
• Cultural insights from Mexican and Latino worldviews (20:28)
• The power of playfulness and reverence for children (25:50)
• Travel and relocation as healing catalysts (28:06)
• The importance of community and “finding the village” (29:22)
• Group vs. one-on-one healing work (32:55)
• Lessons from curanderas and traditional medicine perspectives (36:08)
• Science vs. spirit in psychedelic healing (40:14)
• Understanding and healing complex trauma (42:56)
• Accessing preverbal trauma through somatic memory (46:05)
• A profound healing story involving mobility restoration (48:35)
• Who Micah’s book is for and why she wrote it (50:48)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Micah Stover at http://www.micahstover.com and on Instagram @micahsugarfoot.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dave Hodges.

Dave is the founder of the Church of Ambrosia, a psychedelic church in Oakland, California, known for its use of mushrooms as sacraments. With over 125,000 members, Dave is one of the most outspoken advocates for entheogens as religious tools and has pioneered breakthrough dose work for spiritual insight, healing, and consciousness exploration.

We touch upon topics of:

• Founding a psychedelic church and early raids (01:24–03:29)
• Legal challenges and city pushback (04:01–06:04)
• Psychedelics as religious sacraments (06:24–07:34)
• Understanding the soul and afterlife (07:38–08:35)
• What is a breakthrough dose and how it’s calculated (09:15–12:37)
• Dangers of overdose and gradual dosing (12:46–13:52)
• Origins of religion through mushrooms (14:36–15:47)
• Aliens, dimensions, and God (17:04–20:38)
• What it’s like running a psychedelic church (21:04–22:05)
• Safe environments and the “God’s Sitters” project (22:12–24:40)
• Can the soul get lost? (25:34–26:40)
• Church leadership, books, and the Book of Ambrosia (26:46–29:25)
• Encounters with dark entities during ceremonies (30:09–32:31)
• The war on drugs and financial incentives (33:08–40:16)
• Legal battles and how the church fights back (40:29–41:24)
• Who comes to the church and why (42:05–43:18)
• Business model and sacrament contributions (44:03–44:39)
• Dave’s vision for humanity and the soul (45:02–46:01)
• Risks and special conditions (48:01–49:27)
• Integration practices and audio journaling (49:42–51:59)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Dave Hodges at ambrosia.church, zydedoor.com, or follow him on Instagram at @davehemp420.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Troy Casey, also known as the Certified Health Nut. Troy is a holistic health coach, author of Ripped at 50, and former Versace model who transformed his life through fasting, herbal medicine, breathwork, indigenous healing, and ayahuasca.

We touch upon topics of:

• Troy’s transformation from fashion model to health advocate (01:17–03:50)
• His early ayahuasca experiences in the Amazon and three life-changing visions (06:43–12:50)
• Humanity’s spiritual awakening and vision for a conscious future (16:24–23:20)
• Environmental destruction, geopolitics, and the rainforest (24:25–29:10)
• Rockefeller history, pharma, and the Flexner report (29:36–31:02)
• First principles of health and his 9 Pillars of Wellness (37:02–41:20)
• Views on purpose, fatherhood, and feminine roles in raising children (38:27–40:50)
• Urine therapy, Maori healing, and unconventional yet effective practices (42:19–44:26)
• Ego, balance, emotional processing, and the spiritual journey (45:26–50:14)
• Troy’s powerful definition of Ayahuasca and its healing potential (54:23–57:50)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Troy Casey at http://www.certifiedhealthnut.com or follow him on social media @CertifiedHealthNut across platforms.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with David Londoño.

David is a Colombian psychologist and researcher at ICEERS (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service). With over 20 years of experience, he focuses on the therapeutic use of Ayahuasca, safety protocols, and integration practices. David bridges Western psychology with traditional Amazonian wisdom, helping improve mental health outcomes in modern plant medicine contexts.

We touch upon topics of:

• David’s personal journey into Ayahuasca and clinical psychology (01:11)
• The therapeutic potential and risks of Ayahuasca (03:02)
• The AyaSafety course and best practices (04:28)
• How to properly prepare, serve, and integrate Ayahuasca (07:39)
• Psychological screening and who should avoid the medicine (11:48)
• What integration really means and why it matters (14:17)
• Cultural differences: Colombian vs. Western attitudes (19:08)
• Magical realism and the spiritual worldview of Colombia (25:18)
• What “bad trips” really are and how to understand them (29:05)
• Ayahuasca as a tool for depression, trauma, addiction, and grief (34:16)
• Reconnecting with self, nature, and spirituality through Ayahuasca (38:07)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about David Londoño by searching “David Londoño psychology” on Google to access his professional profiles and connect with his work.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Rinus van Offeren. Rinus is a former Dutch special forces bodyguard who once protected royalty and politicians, and is now a men’s coach helping others heal through emotional reconnection and plant medicine. His transformation from a high-stress, emotion-suppressing life to spiritual awakening through Ayahuasca is a powerful and moving journey.

We touch upon topics of:

• 3:01 — Midlife crisis, depression, and loss of purpose
• 4:30 — Stress, hypertension, and hospitalization
• 5:50 — Breakup and emotional collapse
• 7:59 — Suicidal ideation and sitting on the rock in Ibiza
• 9:45 — First Ayahuasca ceremony in the jungle of Mexico
• 11:34 — Belief in God and spiritual awakening
• 13:38 — Feeling connected to everything (God as unity)
• 15:10 — The soul’s journey and view on death
• 16:46 — What to do if you’re feeling suicidal
• 18:00 — Plant medicine vs psychiatry
• 21:07 — “What if Ayahuasca saved Chester Bennington or Kurt Cobain?”
• 22:16 — Letting go of control and facing inner darkness
• 23:09 — The difficulty and reward of healing
• 24:41 — Emotional repression, stress, and physical symptoms
• 25:35 — Rinus’s past as a teenage drug dealer
• 27:30 — Transition to government work and emotional detachment
• 29:12 — Reconnecting with emotions and becoming human again

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Rinus van Offeren on Instagram or linked in @rinusvanofferen to learn more about his coaching work with men.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rinusvanofferen

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Jason Grechanik — a curandero, tabacero, and the host of The Universe Within podcast. Jason spent over a decade living in the Peruvian Amazon training in the Shipibo tradition. His work bridges plant medicine, traditional cosmologies, and deep healing practices through tobacco and Ayahuasca.

We touch upon topics of:

• Jason’s path to becoming a curandero and his early interest in spirituality and martial arts (00:27–03:39)
• The concept of Ayahuasca “calling” and plant consciousness (04:02–06:36)
• Tobacco as a master plant and its traditional uses (07:06–11:57)
• The role and practice of a tabacero (12:09–14:34)
• Tobacco initiation and altered perception (15:01–20:28)
• Intention and the neutrality of plant medicines (21:02–25:44)
• Sam’s personal relationship with tobacco and the loss of tradition (26:29–29:20)
• Risks of Ayahuasca being misused or misunderstood (29:20–36:40)
• Cosmovision and how worldview shapes experience (39:45–47:25)
• Definitions of spirit across traditions (47:30–54:35)
• Understanding spiritual disease (55:02–60:06)
• The emergence of plant medicines into the modern world (62:09–67:32)
• Advanced civilizations, pyramids, and Ayahuasca as ancient technology (68:02–82:50)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com

Find more about Jason Grechanik at nicotianarustica.org or on Instagram @jasongrechanik. You can also listen to his podcast The Universe Within on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dennis McKenna, PhD—renowned ethnopharmacologist, author, co-founder of the McKenna Academy, and pioneer in psychedelic research for over 40 years. A central figure in the psychedelic renaissance, Dennis has explored the intersection of plant medicine, indigenous wisdom, and science since the 1970s.

We touch upon topics of:

• Dennis’ early trips to Colombia and the origins of the “La Chorrera” experiment (05:10)
• The unexpected role of mushrooms in his spiritual awakening (11:50)
• DMT and the search for orally active psychedelics (15:30)
• Shifts in his scientific path after the La Chorrera experience (22:20)
• Conducting biomedical studies with the UDV in Brazil (31:45)
• Differences between psilocybin and ayahuasca (45:15)
• The ethics and cultural impact of ayahuasca tourism (49:00)
• Sustainable ayahuasca cultivation and community economics (53:30)
• The myth of how indigenous people discovered ayahuasca (59:10)
• The importance of preserving tradition in modern psychedelic use (1:06:40)
• The vision for global symbiosis between North and South through plant medicine (1:13:20)
• Climate change and the message of Gaia through psychedelics (1:17:55)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Dennis McKenna at https://mckenna.academy or on Instagram @dennismckenna_

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Elizabeth Ramírez, a Colombian mentor, speaker, and former corporate strategist who left behind a high-powered consulting career in Switzerland to follow her heart into the world of ancestral medicine, spiritual coaching, and conscious leadership. Elizabeth now helps guide others in their own healing and awakening journeys through a blend of plant medicine work, meditation, and transformational teaching.

We touch upon topics of:

• [00:02:00] Leaving the corporate world and returning to Colombia for healing
• [00:04:00] First Ayahuasca experience and its subtle long-term impact
• [00:07:00] What “receiving medicine” really means vs. what people expect
• [00:08:00] Cultural conditioning, gender roles, and the pressure to be a “good girl”
• [00:13:00] Spiritual transformation after moving back from Switzerland
• [00:16:00] Rebranding Colombia away from drugs and toward nature and medicine
• [00:23:00] Meditation as a path to awakening and connection
• [00:29:00] Dangers of rushing Ayahuasca breakthroughs and the value of patience
• [00:31:00] Ego, integration, and learning the real lessons from the ceremony
• [00:38:00] Her mission to unite leaders through heart-centered, spiritual entrepreneurship
• [00:43:00] The role of mushrooms and their connection to creativity and integration
• [00:49:00] Life as ceremony and creating sacredness in the everyday
• [00:54:00] Manifestation, physics, and aligning with desired realities

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Elizabeth Ramírez at @elramirezdu on Instagram.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mark “The Shark” Irwin — former bare-knuckle boxing world champion turned psychedelic mental health advocate. Known for fighting on heroic doses of psilocybin, Mark now leads a nonprofit supporting athletes recovering from traumatic brain injuries through psychedelic therapy.

We touch upon topics of:

• Mark’s story and fighting career journey (00:03:00)
• Microdosing and traumatic brain injury recovery (00:04:00)
• Fighting competitively on psilocybin (00:05:00)
• Flow state and performance enhancement through psychedelics (00:07:00)
• Legality and controversy around psychedelics in sports (00:09:00)
• Intentions and different uses of plant medicine (00:10:00)
• Psilocybin tolerance and intentional usage (00:11:00)
• Boxing, childhood trauma, and emotional release (00:13:00)
• The therapeutic use of psychedelics for brain healing (00:15:00)
• Mental health, masculinity, and emotional expression (00:20:00)
• Psychedelics and ego dissolution (00:29:00)
• Suicidal ideation, healing, and hope (00:33:00)
• Recovery protocols: red light, HBOT, integration (00:38:00)
• Future vision: healing others post-fighting (00:40:00)
• Movement, fitness, and somatic integration (00:42:00)
• Athletes Journey Home nonprofit & fundraising (00:44:00)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Mark Irwin at http://www.athletesjourneyhome.com or on Instagram @markthesharkirwin

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Luke Jensen, a former US Marine and National Guard veteran turned psychedelic researcher and neurofeedback practitioner. After his own healing journey with PTSD, Luke now leads veteran-focused retreats in Peru and pioneers research on brain mapping with Ayahuasca and Wachuma.

We touch upon topics of:

• Luke’s military background and PTSD healing journey (00:49–02:02)
• His first powerful Ayahuasca experience in the jungle (02:06–04:03)
• What to do when Ayahuasca “doesn’t work” right away (05:38–08:15)
• Unconscious healing and the idea for brain scans during ceremony (08:15–10:19)
• What is QEEG brain mapping and why Luke uses it (10:34–12:52)
• Neurofeedback as a healing and spiritual optimization tool (12:52–16:06)
• Importance of brain health in mental health recovery (16:31–18:35)
• Working with UFC fighters and brain injury recovery (19:03–21:30)
• First-ever brain imaging study on Wachuma (21:50–23:39)
• Differences between Ayahuasca and Wachuma (24:10–25:47)
• Science, skepticism, and cultural projections onto indigenous shamans (33:20–36:41)
• The role of science in legitimizing traditional medicine (36:41–41:11)
• How Luke became a self-taught neuroscientist outside academia (44:11–45:46)
• Brainwaves 101: delta, theta, alpha, beta, gamma explained (48:24–50:09)
• Ego and the Default Mode Network (51:46–52:29)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Luke Jensen at neuroenlightenment.com

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Ashley Glowiak, a licensed marriage and family therapist, PhD candidate in transformative studies, birth and postpartum doula, yoga teacher, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trainee with MAPS. Ashley specializes in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for families, with a deep focus on maternal health and intergenerational trauma.

We touch upon topics of:

• Ashley’s healing journey and entry into psychedelics and family systems therapy (00:02:00)
• Parenting with consciousness and the concept of “family ecology” (00:06:00)
• Intergenerational trauma and Family Constellation work (00:08:00)
• Spiritual and epigenetic layers of ancestral healing (00:12:00)
• Using Ayahuasca and psilocybin to address family trauma (00:14:00)
• A practical framework for healing cycles and trauma with plant medicine (00:17:00)
• Somatic integration and neurogenesis post-ceremony (00:20:00)
• Breaking relationship and behavior cycles consciously (00:23:00)
• How to identify what is truly your authentic self (00:26:00)
• Postpartum depression and the healing role of microdosing (00:33:00)
• The importance of natural birth, rite of passage, and community support (00:41:00)
• The “village mindset” and raising children in community (00:50:00)
• Birth as a psychedelic experience and the hormonal reality of labor (00:47:00)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Ashley Glowiak at http://www.ashleyglowiak.com and follow her private membership community for support on microdosing, family-centered retreats, and integration work.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Chandra Khalifian, a clinical psychologist, researcher, and educator based in San Diego. Chandra is a pioneer in psychedelic-assisted couple therapy and co-founder of ENA, a clinic and research center focused on healing relationships through ketamine and MDMA-assisted therapy.

We touch upon topics of:

• Ketamine-assisted couple therapy and its origins [00:02:00]
• Intimacy development and trust violations in relationships [00:06:00]
• PTSD in couples and how MDMA therapy helps [00:10:00]
• Why “it’s never about the dishes” – deeper relational wounds [00:14:00]
• How psychedelics like Ayahuasca can shift ego and improve relationships [00:16:00]
• The challenge of integrating solo psychedelic work in a couple dynamic [00:18:00]
• The idea of conscious uncoupling with psychedelics [00:20:00]
• Ketamine’s safety, addictive potential, and dosing differences [00:25:00]
• The published framework for ketamine-assisted couple therapy [00:28:00]
• Attachment styles, co-dependency, and emotional regulation in couples [00:31:00]
• Teaching couples to validate each other’s emotional experiences [00:34:00]
• Integration tools and the need for more research on psychedelic couple therapy [00:38:00]
• A powerful story of forgiveness during a ketamine-assisted session [00:42:00]

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to http://www.lawayra.com

Find more about Dr. Chandra Khalifian at http://www.enamarie.org or contact her directly at chandra@enamarie.org.