Appalachian Convergence Lab

Porch & Paws brings the warmth of Appalachian hospitality straight to your ears. Join us and two very enthusiastic four-legged co-stars, for unscripted, on the front porch in Flag Pond, Tennessee. Set against the backdrop of the holler and Blue Ridge Mountains, three humans and two dogs settle in for authentic chat about community and healing. No studio lights, no teleprompters—just real talk, wagging tails, and the kind of conversation that feel like you've been invited onto someone's favorite porch seat.

In this episode, Justin, Ali, and Gina discuss the Trump executive order, psychedelic therapies, and the impact on North Carolina. They also explore the role of the federal government, state legislation, and the importance of therapy in psychedelic treatment.

Gina's LInks:
Website: https://carolinasforcare.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/91311438/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinasforcare
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090141325529

AppCoLab Links:

Website: https://www.appalachianpsychedelicsociety.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/appcolab_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/appalachianconvergencelab


Become a community sustainer for $8mo and access our live and archived Virtual Town Halls on Psychedelics in Appalachian States


Chapters

00:46 — The Psychedelic Executive Order Explained
What President Trump's executive order actually does, why it's significant, and why many in the field were surprised by it.

03:13 — Mental Health, Suicide, and Federal Funding
Why policymakers are paying attention to psychedelic research and what the new federal funding means.

05:28 — Is $50 Million Enough?

08:12 — Matt Zorn, Joe Rogan, and How the Executive Order Came Together

10:17 — Bicycle Day & The First LSD Experience

14:03 — Celebration, Caution, and Community Reactions

15:53 — What Has Happened Since the Executive Order?

18:11 — The MDMA Setback & Changing Public Attitudes

21:10 — Why State Policy Still Matters

22:30 — North Carolina's HEAL Act (SB 1018)
An overview of North Carolina's new psychedelic legislation and its potential impact.

26:33 — What Is a Psychedelic Task Force?
Who serves on these groups, what they do, and why they matter for implementation.

30:05 — Indigenous Communities & Psychedelic Policy
Why tribal voices matter and how states are beginning to address indigenous leadership and participation.

32:58 — Psychedelic Hype vs. Reality
The media narrative, public expectations, and what psychedelic healing actually looks like in practice.

37:12 — Therapy, Integration & Long-Term Healing
Why preparation and integration may matter as much as the medicine itself.

44:54 — Carolinas for Care
Gina introduces the new organization and its mission to advance education, policy, and community-building across North and South Carolina.

46:44 — Right to Try & Expanding Access
How Right to Try policies could create earlier access pathways for people with severe mental health conditions.

48:30 — Looking Ahead
Final thoughts on the future of psychedelic policy, research, and access.

In this conversation, Jessica Allen shares her profound journey of recovery from addiction through the use of Ibogaine, a psychedelic substance. She recounts how a chance encounter with a book led her father to seek alternative treatment options during her darkest times. Jessica describes her transformative experience in Mexico, where she found relief from addiction and a reconnection with her spirituality. The discussion also explores the role of family support, the challenges of returning home, and the cultural openness towards alternative treatments in Appalachia. Furthermore, Jessica highlights advocacy for the legalization and acceptance of Ibogaine as a treatment for addiction.

Follow Jess on instagram

Appalachian Convergence Lab
https://appcolab.org/

Described by Rolling Stone as "the point man" for drug policy reform efforts and “the real drug czar,” Ethan Nadelmann, JD, PhD, is widely regarded as the outstanding proponent of

drug policy reform in the United States and abroad. After teaching

politics and public affairs at Princeton University (1987-1994), he founded and

directed first The Lindesmith Center (1994-2000) and then the Drug

Policy Alliance (2000-2017). He also co-founded the Open Society

Institute’s International Harm Reduction Development program. 

Ethan has published extensively and spoken

publicly in roughly forty states and forty countries.  His TED Talk,

"Why We Need to End the War on Drugs" has over two million views.

Ethan and his colleagues were at the forefront of dozens of successful campaigns to legalize marijuana, reduce the incarceration of drug law offenders, advance harm reduction approaches to drug use and addiction, and otherwise promote alternatives to

punitive prohibitionist drug policies.  He played a key role as drug policy

advisor to prominent philanthropists as well as elected officials ranging from mayors, governors and state and federal legislators in the U.S. to presidents and cabinet ministers outside the United States.

He hosts the leading podcast about all things drugs: PSYCHOACTIVE. 

He has become increasingly engaged in the debate over tobacco harm

reduction.

Ethan is currently working on a book – part memoir, part history of the drug policy reform movement, part lessons for activists, part reflections on the big questions and debates in the

field.

Ethan A Nadelmann

Podcast Host:

PSYCHOACTIVE

Founder & Former Executive Director (2000-2017) of the

Drug Policy Alliance

www.twitter.com/ethannadelmann

[email protected]    +1 646 335 2240

117 W 74th St., #1C     New York, NY 10023-2211

Appalachian Convergence Lab

https://appcolab.org/

Founders Justin and Ali McGhee share their personal journeys with psychedelics, discussing their experiences and the impact of these substances on their lives. They explore the intersection of psychedelics and parenting, the importance of education in psychedelic policy, and current events surrounding psychedelic legislation, particularly in Massachusetts. The conversation emphasizes the need to destigmatize both psychedelics and Appalachian identity, aiming to create a safe and informed community around these topics. In this conversation, Ali McGhee and Justin explore the multifaceted identity of Appalachia, discussing personal experiences, cultural heritage, and the complexities of regional stereotypes. They delve into the rich traditions and resilience of Appalachian communities, the historical nuances of the Civil War, and the importance of embracing diversity and complexity in conversations about identity. The discussion also touches on future community engagement and the role of psychedelics in fostering understanding and connection.

Takeaways

The Appalachian Psychedelic Society aims to educate and inform about psychedelics.

Personal experiences with psychedelics can lead to profound insights and healing.

There is a stigma associated with using psychedelics, especially among parents.

Psychedelics can help reconnect individuals with their childhood and nature.

Legislation around psychedelics is evolving, with varying degrees of success.

Education is crucial for understanding the complexities of psychedelic policy.

Community engagement is essential for destigmatizing psychedelics in Appalachia.

The hosts emphasize the importance of personal stories in understanding psychedelics.

There is a need for clear communication about psychedelic legislation.

The hosts share their experiences of growing up in Appalachia and the associated stigma.  Ali reflects on her childhood experiences with horror films and their impact on her perception of Appalachia.

The conversation highlights the importance of learning about local plants and traditions in Appalachia.

Ali expresses a desire to reclaim and explore Appalachian cultural traditions that are fading away.

Justin discusses the historical origins of the term 'Appalachian' and its connection to indigenous roots.

Both speakers share their experiences of altering their accents and the implications of regional identity.

The discussion emphasizes the diversity within Appalachia, challenging stereotypes often portrayed in media.

Ali mentions the resilience of Appalachian communities in the face of adversity and historical challenges.

Ali & Justin highlight the complexity of the Civil War's impact on Appalachian communities, noting divisions and conflicts.

They advocate for embracing nuance in conversations about identity, history, and culture.

The conversation concludes with a focus on future community engagement and the importance of being a resource for others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Appalachian Psychedelic Society

06:35 Personal Journeys with Psychedelics

11:31 The Intersection of Psychedelics and Parenting

16:41 Current Events: Hurricane Helene and the Election

22:51 The Importance of Education in Psychedelic Policy

28:34 Exploring Appalachian Identity and Heritage

36:19 Stereotypes and Resilience in Appalachia

40:51 Historical Nuances of the Civil War in Appalachia

Learn More about APS: https://www.appalachianpsychedelicsociety.org/

Pastor, Educator, Teacher, Parent? Book Consulting

Benjamin Greenzweig is a seasoned events veteran, entrepreneur, and the

co-founder of Momentum Events and the recently launched Momentum

Communities PBC, with a deep passion for destigmatizing the conversation

on both the diagnosis and treatment of mental health, including

psychedelic-assisted therapy. Greenzweig served as the Executive

Producer of Psychedelic Science 2023, the world’s largest psychedelics

conference, and Momentum Events proudly played the role of show

organizer. Open about his personal wellness journey, Greenzweig

passionately believes that everyone has the right to find their mental

health balance, and he works tirelessly to create learning and

community-building opportunities that can open minds and change hearts.

Bens Links:

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

https://momentumevents.com/kentucky/

momentumevents.com

Our Links:

https://www.appalachianpsychedelicnews.org/

https://www.instagram.com/appalachianpsychedelicnews/