In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with neuroscientist and author James Cooke.

James shares his journey from a profound spiritual awakening as a teenager to studying neuroscience and exploring psychedelics as tools for consciousness and healing.

We touch upon topics such as:

00:17 - James’ spiritual awakening and scientific path

01:45 - How psychedelics sparked emotional healing and trauma work

03:40 - The unique perspective of a neuroscientist on Ayahuasca and DMT

05:46 - Entity encounters and their possible scientific explanations

11:58 - Sam’s experiment idea: enhanced reality and psychedelics

19:26 - Where thoughts originate: brain, consciousness, or antenna?

26:49 - How science and spirituality intersect

30:26 - James’ personal emotional healing with psychedelics

37:12 - Neuroplasticity and the long-term transformative effects of psychedelics

40:12 - Meditation vs psychedelics: mechanisms and outcomes

Find more about James Cooke and his book The Dawn of Mind at www.jamescooke.info

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ has a conversation with Mark Bodner.

Mark was a head of facilitation at LaWayra and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge while working here. Mark is Brown University graduate and a Zen Practicionaire. 

We touch upon subjects of facilitating Ayahuasca retreats, zen Buddhism and Ayahuasca, how it feels being punched in the ceremony, doing hundred ceremonies in one year, bringing your parents to the Ayahuasca retreat and more.

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to 

www.lawayra.com

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Shawn Wells, a biochemist, best-selling author, and renowned "Ingredientologist" known for formulating over a thousand supplements and patenting 40 unique ingredients.

Shawn shares his journey of overcoming mental and physical challenges and delves into topics including:

[00:28] Transformational journey into nutrition and biochemistry

[05:14] First psychedelic experiences with psilocybin

[12:28] Ayahuasca ceremonies with the Huni Kuin tribe in Peru

[21:22] The role of fasting and supplements in preparation for ayahuasca

[33:39] Neuroplasticity and post-journey integration

[44:21] Longevity lessons from Blue Zones

Find more about Shawn Wells at www.shawnwells.com or on social media @shawnwells.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mike and Kelly, a couple who visited LaWayra Ayahuasca retreat earlier this year and fell in love with it so much that they decided to retire in Colombia.

We touch upon topics such as:

How Mike and Kelly discovered Ayahuasca and what brought them to LaWayra

Their life-changing experiences with Ayahuasca at the retreat

The decision to retire in Colombia and the challenges they faced

What makes life in Colombia so fulfilling for them

Why LaWayra feels like home and their ongoing connection to the retreat

About the Guests:

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mark John Brown, an integral performance and purpose coach with over 15 years of experience blending indigenous wisdom with modern business practices.

We touch upon:

Mark’s journey into plant medicine and indigenous culture (01:02)

Indigenous re-indigenization and its impact on self-development (04:20)

The role of ayahuasca in re-indigenizing the self (06:11)

Healing childhood trauma through psychedelics (09:29)

Indigenous concepts of reciprocity and sacred reciprocity (21:47)

Balancing spirituality with business in modern society (33:26)

Coaching strategies rooted in ancestral wisdom (40:17)

Find more about Mark John Brown at his website nativewisdomhub.com or on Instagram @marcjohnbrown.

https://www.nativewisdomhub.com/trauma-to-triumph

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Natasja Pelgrom, a thought leader in personal growth and psychedelic transformation, founder of Awaken the Medicine Within, and host of the Awaken Podcast.

We touch upon topics including:

Natasja's journey with psychedelics (1:51-10:29)

Entrepreneurship in the psychedelic space (10:58-15:50)

Leadership and psychedelics (17:18-24:13)

Authenticity as a core value (24:48-29:17)

Space-holding techniques (30:13-36:50)

Find more about Natasja at natasjapelgrom.com or through Awaken the Medicine Within.

Book questionnaire 

https://ayahuascaincolombia.com/book-form/

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Nick Courtright. Sam interviews Nick about how his Ayahuasca experience changed his life and Nick interviews Sam about a book Sam is going to write.

Nick Courtright is an American poet, educator, and essayist whose work fuses philosophical inquiry with lyrical expression. He is the founder and CEO of Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publisher dedicated to authors' rights. As an author, Nick has written several acclaimed books, including Let it Be Light and The Forgotten World.

Topics discussed:

Introduction to Nick’s journey with Ayahuasca and initial motivations (01:26)

Personal transformation through Ayahuasca at LaWayra (03:54)

The unexpected side effects: quitting alcohol and running a marathon (04:48)

Atmosphere Press: ethics and the publishing process (07:04)

Integrating Ayahuasca experiences into daily life (18:14)

The inspiration behind Sam’s upcoming book (22:38)

Find more about Nick Courtright at www.atmospherepress.com.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bob Otis, the founding pastor of Sacred Garden Community Church and a leading advocate for the decriminalization of sacred plant medicines. Bob is deeply involved in psychedelic spirituality and serves on councils dedicated to the protection of sacred plants.

We touch upon topics such as:

Bob’s journey with psychedelics and founding Sacred Garden (01:16)

Mystical experiences and spiritual connection through plant medicines (04:14)

The relationship between psychedelics and Western religion (06:32)

Bob’s perspective on starting a church for plant medicine (15:19)

Ethical considerations and challenges of leading a psychedelic church (47:20)

The Decriminalize Nature movement (59:34)

Find more about Bob Otis at sacredgarden.life.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Joe Vaughan, a UK-based comedian, writer, and advocate for psychedelic medicine legalization. Joe shares his journey into psychedelics, driven by witnessing the transformative power of psilocybin on a close friend. Together, they discuss the potential of psychedelics for mental health, addiction recovery, and the challenges of pushing for legalization in the UK.

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

Find more about Joe Vaughan at Twitter: @joevaughancomedy.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Steve Thayer, PhD, a clinical psychologist specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly with ketamine. Steve is the clinical director for psychotherapy and training at Numinus and co-hosts the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast.

We touch upon topics like:

Steve’s journey into mental health and psychedelics (00:57)

Ketamine-assisted therapy and its benefits (03:18)

Spirituality and intuition in personal growth (05:56)

Challenges faced by first responders and veterans (13:19)

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy vs. traditional therapy (16:52)

Accelerating the therapeutic process with psychedelics (18:25)

Psychological flexibility and the impact of psychedelics (19:24)

The role of facilitators in ensuring safe psychedelic experiences (50:42)

The importance of training and self-awareness for facilitators (51:12)