PODCAST EPISODES

Vitamins V.S. Antidepressants. Nutritional psychiatry

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) speaks with Taron Fletcher, a biochemist and research specialist at Hardy Nutritionals, known for science-led mental health supplements. We explore:

  • [00:01:00] Taron’s journey into nutritional research and the origins of Hardy Nutritionals
  • [00:05:00] Lessons from animal nutrition applied to human mental health
  • [00:07:00] Key factors in creating effective supplements: completeness, balance, ratios, chelation, and research-backed efficacy
  • [00:12:00] How supplements can support safe tapering from SSRIs and other psychiatric medications
  • [00:20:00] Typical taper timelines and indicators for dose reduction
  • [00:24:00] Specific nutrients and adjuncts for mood, anxiety, and withdrawal symptoms
  • [00:42:00] Challenges of tapering from different drug classes, including SNRIs and benzodiazepines
  • [00:50:00] Understanding RDA, upper limits, and why higher balanced doses can be beneficial
  • [00:53:00] Nutritional deficiencies and the impact of processed diets on mental health
  • [01:00:00] Cost, support, and process for starting Hardy Nutritionals’ program

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

Find more about Taron Fletcher at http://www.hardynutritionals.com

Placebo, open science and microdosing with Rotem Petranker

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Rotem Petranker, Associate Director of the Psychedelic Studies Research Program at the University of Toronto, co-founder of the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science, and a postdoctoral fellow at McMaster University. His work focuses on microdosing, attention, emotional regulation, and open science.

We touch upon topics of:

  • [00:01:00] Rotem’s background and early path into psychedelic research
  • [00:02:00] Why microdosing research began and early challenges
  • [00:03:00] Perspectives on drug policy, legalization, and mental health
  • [00:05:00] Design of Rotem’s psilocybin microdosing clinical trial
  • [00:07:00] Study outcomes, placebo response, and limitations of once-a-week dosing
  • [00:11:00] Diversity of participants and feasibility for future research
  • [00:12:00] The role of set, setting, and the “social matrix” in healing
  • [00:14:00] Group dynamics, contact high, and integration at retreats
  • [00:16:00] The challenge of reductionist science versus indigenous traditions
  • [00:21:00] Replication crisis in psychology and the need for open science
  • [00:23:00] Pre-registration, open data, and transparency in psychedelic research
  • [00:35:00] Different epistemologies: indigenous wisdom vs. neuroscience
  • [00:37:00] Comparing LSD and psilocybin microdosing (duration, variability, safety)
  • [00:39:00] Benefits and drawbacks of microdosing—mood, anxiety, sleep
  • [00:42:00] Microdosing vs. antidepressants and side effect profiles
  • [00:45:00] Bro-science explanation of SSRIs vs. psilocybin and how little we know
  • [00:47:00] Why open science matters and how to evaluate credible research

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

Find more about Dr. Rotem Petranker at @rpetranker and through the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science.

Psychedelics and astrology, archetypes, karma and shadow work with Jessica DiRuzza

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Jessica DiRuzza, a depth psychotherapist, astrologer, and educator. Jessica is the co-founder of Trust Psyche, where she integrates depth psychology and archetypal astrology to guide transformation. With 15+ years of experience, she teaches internationally, hosts the Trust Psyche podcast, and mentors students blending soul-centered insight with practical healing.

We touch upon topics of:

  • Jessica’s journey from psychedelics to astrology (00:55)
  • Archetypal astrology vs. mainstream astrology (05:25)
  • Jessica reads Sam’s chart live (06:33)
  • Fate vs free will in astrology (19:22)
  • Astrology as a tool for psychedelic integration (24:03)
  • World transits and the psychedelic renaissance (27:34)
  • Shadow work and astrology (31:04)
  • Astrology, trauma, and karma (32:18)
  • Using astrology as a diagnostic tool (35:14)
  • Relationships, compatibility, and spiritual bypassing (37:10)
  • Neurodivergence and astrology (41:39)
  • Astrology, mysticism, and ancient knowledge (45:07)
  • Sam’s nodal return and soul’s evolutionary path (47:44)

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

Find more about Jessica at trustpsyche.com, on YouTube at Trust Psyche, and on Instagram at @trust.psyche

Clara Porwoll – Western medicine vs amazonian medicine. Lessons after 3400 cups served.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Clara Porwoll—German medical doctor and LaWayra’s Head of Facilitation for the past 10 months. Former hospital physician turned plant-medicine facilitator, Clara arrived as a guest, stayed as a volunteer, and now leads ceremony care and integration. She shares data from 689 patients and ~3,400 cups, lessons from bridging Western and ancestral medicine, and her own deep healing journey.

• [00:00] Role at LaWayra, patient stats, path from guest → facilitator
• [00:02] First psilocybin, travels, finding “Ayahuasca in Colombia,” joining LaWayra
• [00:04] “Das Vira”: German order vs. psychedelic flow; surrender & patience
• [00:07] Western vs. Amazonian medicine—where each excels; building a bridge
• [00:12] Mind–body link, prevention, and healthcare cost realities
• [00:16] Origins of disease: emotions, tools the medicine teaches
• [00:17] Clara’s healing: self-love, depression, reconnection
• [00:19–00:22] Uncovering childhood sexual abuse; facing big traumas safely
• [00:24] Intergenerational trauma and family ripple effects
• [00:26] Psyche in ceremony: “feline/tiger” processes; jaguar lore
• [00:28] Transformations: addictions, lifestyle changes post-ceremony
• [00:29–00:31] Common challenge: “not connecting” vs subtle connection
• [00:32–00:33] Spiritual openings; choosing healer path vs. shaman role
• [00:34–00:36] What a Head of Facilitation actually does (safety, team, container)
• [00:37–00:41] Integration philosophy: community, practice, therapy, percentages
• [00:43–00:45] Self-care routines for facilitators (yoga, meditation, breathwork, journaling)
• [00:47–00:50] National trauma, peace, and why Germany needs Aya; presidents drink free

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

 

Podcast Bridging east and Amazon. Poetry, acupuncture and shamanism with Richard Grossman.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Richard Grossman, PhD. Richard is a healer, author, and visionary blending Eastern medicine, Amazonian shamanism, and sound healing. With over 30 years of experience, he has guided thousands through transformational plant medicine journeys, focusing on forgiveness, integration, and heart-centered living. He is the author of Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life and founder of Heart Feather, a space for healing and awakening.

We touch upon topics of:

  • Richard’s first connection to plants and childhood calling (01:08)
  • Early experiences with Ayahuasca and trauma healing (02:59)
  • Healing as miracle and mystery (06:28)
  • Visions, trust, and forgiveness in ceremony (09:00)
  • Ayahuasca “claiming” him in the jungle (12:19)
  • Importance (and limits) of visions in Ayahuasca (19:40)
  • Poetry in ceremonies and its healing role (26:16)
  • The lifelong process of healing and “how good can it get?” (33:53)
  • Responsible path to serving medicine and training protocols (43:44)
  • Minimum number of ceremonies before serving (51:24)
  • Acupuncture in ceremony and bridging healing traditions (54:16)
  • Five elements in Chinese medicine and plant medicine synergy (58:22)
  • Richard’s book Trust and Forgive and upcoming novel (65:03)

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

Find more about Dr. Richard Grossman at heartfeather.com or his book Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life available on Amazon.

Podcast Nazis on Drugs, CIA LSD & The Psychedelic Liberation — with Norman Ohler

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Norman Ohler, investigative author and storyteller known for his bestselling books Blitzed and Tripped. Norman’s work explores the hidden influence of drugs in history — from methamphetamine use in Nazi Germany to the political suppression of psychedelics — and challenges how we think about drugs and society.

We touch upon topics of:

  • 00:36 – Norman’s personal journey into investigating drugs and hidden histories
  • 01:28 – Nazi Germany’s use of methamphetamine and Hitler’s daily drug injections
  • 07:30 – Could Hitler on ayahuasca have changed history?
  • 09:36 – The untold origins of LSD and Nazi/CIA “truth drug” experiments
  • 18:17 – Norman’s book Tripped, dementia research, and microdosing LSD with his parents
  • 22:01 – Brain mapping studies with ayahuasca and early results from Sam’s retreat
  • 25:08 – Capitalism, government control, and why psychedelics remain illegal
  • 29:01 – Vision for an egalitarian, borderless, AI-supported global society
  • 36:21 – Capitalism vs. spirituality and building new economic models with blockchain/AI
  • 42:01 – How psychedelics foster empathy, healing, and potential planetary change
  • 49:18 – Norman’s political vision and plan to run for German Chancellor
  • 53:39 – Ancient ritual use of psychoactive plants and why prohibition is anti-human

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

Find more about Norman Ohler at substack

https://stonedsapiens.substack.com/

And check out his books Blitzed and Tripped.

Podcast Bridging western science with indigenous knowledge with Dr. Simon Ruffel

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Simon Ruffell — psychiatrist, researcher, and co-founder of Onaya Sciences. Simon is known for bridging Western psychiatry and traditional Amazonian plant medicine, completing a PhD on the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca and training in Shipibo curanderismo in Peru.

We touch upon topics of:

  • (00:47) Simon’s journey from psychiatry to the Amazon
  • (08:33) How ayahuasca heals: neuroplasticity, epigenetics & spirit work
  • (13:18) Indigenous perspectives on balance and illness
  • (16:11) Designing research with shamans & translating indigenous knowledge
  • (22:11) Safety concerns in Western psychedelic use without shamans
  • (31:05) 80% PTSD remission and other research findings
  • (35:23) Synchronicities and destiny on the healing path
  • (44:18) Ego traps: rushing to become a shaman
  • (50:36) Rethinking psychedelic education and training models
  • (58:52) The story and spirit of Agua Florida & evolving traditions

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

Find more about Dr. Simon Ruffell and Onaya Sciences at http://www.onaya.science and on Instagram @drsimonruffell.

Podcast Holding the mystery. Somatics, TRE and integration with Simon Tennant

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Simon Tennant—a New Zealand psychotherapist, integration coach, and longtime friend of LaWayra. Simon supports guests through complex processes (including repressed trauma), drawing on meditation, IFS lenses, somatic work, and a growing interest in philosophy and Christian mysticism alongside Buddhism. He’s served on LaWayra’s facilitation team and consults post-retreat, emphasizing patience, embodiment, and community as pillars of lasting change.

• 00:00–00:03 — Reunion, Simon’s role with LaWayra and integration work
• 00:03–00:06 — Recent ceremonies: body-based learning, “great mystery,” non-ordinary states
• 00:06–00:09 — How ayahuasca deepened meditation; greater capacity with difficult client work
• 00:09–00:12 — Shamanic flavor across traditions; curiosity over fixed identities
• 00:12–00:17 — From Buddhist lens to Christian mysticism; using “God” without recoil
• 00:17–00:20 — Multiple lenses metaphor; flexibility vs. rigidity in belief systems
• 00:20–00:23 — Losing self/other to return more whole; holding paradox and conflict
• 00:22–00:24 — Containers, boundaries, and why safe ceremony space matters
• 00:24–00:29 — What volunteering at LaWayra teaches therapists vs. online courses
• 00:29–00:32 — Building a practical facilitator training: “cookbook” + kitchen analogy
• 00:32–00:35 — Post-retreat integration: practices, community, and resisting distractions
• 00:36–00:39 — Working with childhood/sexual-abuse material: patience and not-knowing
• 00:39–00:43 — Somatic integration: TRE, SE, body as a safe place
• 00:40–00:41 — Ayahuasca as a shadow medicine; opening and purgation
• 00:44–00:48 — Shadow, DMN, neuroplasticity, and the ego/DMN connection
• 00:48–00:50 — Three-hour maloca meditation: embodied attention and capacity

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

Find more about Simon Tennant at csimon.nz (C-Simon, spelled c-s-i-m-o-n.nz).

Podcast Love as medicine, mysticism, sufism and psychedelics with Danielle Herrera

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of http://www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Danielle Herrera, a California-based licensed psychotherapist and psychedelic-assisted therapy specialist. Danielle blends somatic and Jungian work with harm reduction, draws on Indigenous lineage and Sufi mysticism, and trains new facilitators with Beckley Academy. We explore how love, right-relationship, and spiritual technologies help people heal trauma and integrate psychedelic experiences into daily life.

  • 00:01–01:22 — Intro and Danielle’s background

  • 01:22–08:14 — Origin story: chaotic childhood, harm reduction path, ketamine/MDMA training, founding Tender Heart Healing Arts

  • 08:41–12:48 — “Loving people for a living”: centering love in psychotherapy; Indigenous and Sufi lineages

  • 13:14–17:11 — Trauma as absence of holding; parenting parallels; harm-reduction lens

  • 17:12–22:03 — Why some grow from pain: “jet fuel,” ayahuasca discomfort, meaning-making

  • 22:32–25:10 — Transmutation of pain; rites of passage and village containers

  • 26:01–29:46 — Shamanism vs “psychosis”: the role of container (Crazywise reference)

  • 29:46–36:30 — Sufism 101: Rumi, polishing the heart, spiritual technologies; resonance with ayahuasca/Icaros

  • 37:32–42:43 — Mystical experiences in therapy; clinician competence and frameworks

  • 42:43–47:02 — Spiritual emergence: signs, tenderness, intuition, “magic is real”

  • 47:02–51:40 — Addiction: “don’t ask why the addiction—ask why the pain”; right-relationship with medicines

  • 51:40–54:19 — Real integration: becoming better to those you’re responsible to love

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

Find more about Danielle Herrera at tenderheart.us (yourtherapistlovesyou.com) and Instagram: @yourtherapistlovesyou

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