Ep. 138 - Scott Stanley - Ayahuasca, Religious Freedom, Legality &amp; the DEA

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Ep. 113 - The Psychologizing of Society & Trauma Culture - A Discussion with Brian James, Adam Aronovich, & Jason Grechanik

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Hey everybody! Episode 113 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friends Brian James and Adam Aronovich. I met both of them when we all worked together at a big plant medicine center in the Peruvian Amazon. I interviewed both of them separately in previous episodes, Brian in episode 30 and Adam in episode 55, so you can check those out for a more in-depth look at them both. I have been impressed with both their abilities to speak out on more mainstream narratives that are happening in the psychedelic and plant-medicine movements. I think there are many narratives that gain traction and are not often questioned, and I respect both Brian and Adam for their ability to look at issues through different lenses to get closer to a wider truth. Two issues that I think that have been arising in this regard are the psychologizing of the plant-medicine world and the world at large. And the second is the over-emphasis on trauma. While both of these topics have validity and importance and a place in this work, they are but a part, and an over-emphasis on both can be an amputation of sorts of the wider use of plant-medicines and create downstream problems that many don’t consider. So it was a real pleasure and a bit of an experiment having this panel. I think it went really well and we went pretty deep on these issues which I think are quite important topics. So I feel confident you all will get a lot out of this episode and the wisdom of Adam and Brian. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!

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This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe

"Adam is a doctoral candidate focusing on Medical Anthropology and Cultural Psychiatry. He is an active member of the Medical Anthropology Research Center (MARC) and part of the Ayahuasca Community Committee at the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. In the last four years he has conducted extensive fieldwork in the Peruvian Amazon, where he has been doing qualitative research in collaboration with ICEERS, the Beckley Foundation, and, more recently, the Centre for Psychedelic Studies at Imperial College, where he is also a visiting student. Beyond his work conducting and coordinating research, Adam facilitated workshops in the Peruvian Amazon and he regularly facilitates workshops in Mexico. He is also a process facilitator and integration support coach in private practice, the co-host of the upcoming podcast "Healing from the Healing Path", and the co-founder of Hidden Hand Media, a creative agency in the space of transformation and technology.”

For more info about Adam and his work, visit: https://www.healingfromhealing.com

“Brian James is a transformational coach, yoga teacher, musician and shamanic practitioner currently living Vancouver Island, Canada with his wife Debbie and their dog Kingston.

A lifelong musician, artist, and curious seeker, Brian began exploring yoga and plant medicines over twenty-five years ago. After a crisis in his mid-thirties — burned out from his job in advertising and struggling with stress, anxiety and addiction — he began his own healing journey in earnest. He’s spent the last decade learning from master teachers and exploring in greater depth the medicine paths of yoga, music, shamanism and psychology. He shares conversations with some of the teachers he’s met on the Medicine Path Podcast and has written two books: Yoga & Plant Medicine, published in 2019, and Harmonic Movement, a vinyasa yoga practice manual.

Since 2012, Brian has dedicated his life to sharing the healing power of yoga and music, and has taught around the world — from Shanghai, China to the heart of the Amazon jungle. He regularly teaches group classes and workshops and works 1-to-1 with individuals, helping them develop a personal practice and supporting them in recovering a sense of wholeness and freedom. “

For more info about Brian and his work, visit: brianjames.ca

My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I are guiding plant dietas in Boulder-Colorado in July, New York state in August, and the Sacred Valley of Peru in November. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org

To book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.com

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Ep. 106 - Luke Jensen - Plant Medicines, Brain Mapping, War, Veterans, & Neuroplasticity

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Hey everybody! Episode 106 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with my friend Luke Jensen. Luke and I practice Brazilian jiu-jitsu together where I met him. Luke is a former Marine and served in Afghanistan. He now works with brain mapping and neurofeedback and is integrating this work with plant medicines. We had a long conversation and got into some really interesting and I think deep topics about war, morality, his work with brain mapping, neuroplasticity, and neurogenesis, the role of masculinity, martial arts, and systems of power. It was a fascinating conversation and I really enjoyed it. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!

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“Luke served in the Marine Corps for 6 years and eventually deployed to Afghanistan for a year with an Airborne infantry unit. After his deployment Luke spent a number of years traveling and searching for his place in the world. His adventures took him to South America where he started working with Shamans and plant medicines. At the same time Luke started working with different neurotechnologies on himself and has spent almost ten years studying the topic. Finally, a few years ago serendipity allowed Luke to meet Dr Richard Soutar and both wanted to collaborate in combining plant medicine shamanism and with neurofeedback and QEEG brain mapping. Luke has been living off and on in Peru for the last five years, and has been involved in brain research along with plant medicines and shamanism. Luke passionately believes that neurotechnology combined with ancient practices can allow humans to reach elevated spiritual states and peak potentials that are almost boundless. To him, Neuro Enlightenment is a living manifestation of both further research into human consciousness and the vision to give people the tools to manifest their highest selves.”

To learn more about or contact Luke, visit his website at: https://neuroenlightenment.com and http://dagazrite.com

My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I are guiding plant dietas in Portugal in May, Ireland in June, Boulder-Colorado in July, New York state in August, and the Sacred Valley of Peru in November. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org

To book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.com

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Ep. 104 - Chris Kilham - Medicine Hunter, Bridging Worlds, & Plant Medicines

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Hey everybody! Episode 104 of the show is out. In this episode, I spoke with Chris Kilham. Chris is also know as the Medicine Hunter and is an author, educator and yogi. He is the founder of Medicine Hunter Inc., and conducts medicinal plant research and sustainable botanical sourcing in over 45 countries. I met Chris a few years ago when I was working at the Amazonian plant medicine center, The Temple of the Way of Light, where Chris came together with his wife Zoe Helen (who I hope to have on in the next few episodes), and brought a group of guests there. Chris is really interesting guy and has led a fantastic life of exploration, discovery, and education in the field of plant medicine. He is the author of a number of book including Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook: The Essential Guide to Ayahuasca Journeying, The Five Tibetans, and The Lotus and The Bud: Cannabis, Consciousness, and Yoga Practice. It was a pleasure to have him on to speak about his work, medicinal plants, and the world at large. I think you all will enjoy and gain a lot out of this episode. As always, to support this podcast, get early access to shows, bonus material, and Q&As, check out my Patreon page below. Enjoy!

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This episode is sponsored by Real Mushrooms. As listeners, visit their website to enjoy a discount of 25% off your first order: https://www.realmushrooms.com/universe

“Chris Kilham is a medicine hunter, author, educator and yogi. The founder of Medicine Hunter Inc., Chris has conducted medicinal plant research and sustainable botanical sourcing in over 45 countries.in over 45 countries. Chris works with companies to develop and popularize traditional plant-based food and medicinal products into market successes. These include ashwagandha, kava, maca, rhodiola, schisandra, tamanu oil, cat’s claw, dragon’s blood, ayahuasca, and hundreds of other plants. Chris also works to bridge worlds, regularly sharing information about other cultures through presentations and media. The New York Times calls Chris “part David Attenborough, part Indiana Jones.”

…An avid body surfer and adventure traveler, Chris lives and works in Massachusetts with his wife, cultural activist Zoe Helene. Chris and Zoe travel the globe on Medicine Hunter expeditions, and work together to promote plant medicines, environmental protection and cultural preservation.”

To learn more about or contact Chris, and for his full bio, visit his website at: https://www.medicinehunter.com/

If you enjoy the show, it would be a big help if you could share it with your own audiences via social media or word of mouth. If you’re watching on YouTube if you could take a second and Subscribe to the channel and Like the video and if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, Follow the show and leave a starred rating and a short review. That would be super helpful with the algorithms and getting this show out to more people. Thank you in advance!

My colleague Merav Artzi (who I interviewed in episode 28) and I are guiding plant dietas in 2023 in the Sacred Valley of Peru the month of February, Portugal in May, Ireland in June, Boulder-Colorado in July, and New York state in August and Israel in October. If you would like more information about joining us and the work I do, visit my site at: https://www.NicotianaRustica.org

To book an integration call with me, visit: https://jasongrechanik.setmore.com

If you are able to and would like to donate to the show to help out with new content that would be deeply appreciated. For just a few dollars a month you can subscribe through Patreon and it gives you some really nice added benefits like early access to shows, bonus episodes, and a chance to ask personalized questions.

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Thanks and until the next episode!