Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Steve DeAngelo. Steve DeAngelo is a world-renowned activist, author, and entrepreneur often recognized as the "Father of the Legal Cannabis Industry." He co-founded Harborside Health Center and the Last Prisoner Project, a non-profit dedicated to freeing those incarcerated for cannabis. With over four decades of activism, Steve has been a central figure in transforming cannabis from a prohibited substance into a respected plant medicine and a global industry.

We touch upon topics of:

04:10 – Steve’s first spiritual experience with cannabis at age 13 in a neighborhood park.

06:30 – The racist origins of cannabis criminalization and its use as a tool of oppression.

09:15 – The devastating toll of the "War on Drugs" and mass incarceration on families.

11:50 – How targeting cannabis ships in the 1980s inadvertently sparked the cocaine surge.

16:40 – The counterproductive nature of drug prohibition and the rise of fentanyl.

20:25 – The mission of the Last Prisoner Project: Seeking justice for those still serving time.

24:10 – Cannabis as Mother Nature’s "kindest and most gentle plant teacher."

26:50 – Archeological evidence of shamanic cannabis use dating back 12,500 years.

29:30 – The historical spread of cannabis from Central Asia through India, Africa, and Europe.

32:15 – Cannabis in ancient religion: Its presence in Egyptian mythology and the holy anointing oil of Jesus.

36:45 – The industrial versatility of hemp: From Levi’s jeans to construction materials like "Hempcrete."

41:20 – The "Decriminalize Nature" movement and the rise of mushroom churches in Oakland.

45:00 – Resisting corporate colonization: The importance of community-centric psychedelic access.

48:30 – The fusion of traditions: Rastafari communities integrating Ayahuasca and Iboga into their practice.

52:15 – Exploring the feminine spirit of cannabis and its role in a world needing more cooperation.

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

Find more about Steve DeAngelo at www.stevedeangelo.com and www.lastprisonerproject.org

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Richard Soutar. Dr. Soutar is a neuroscience pioneer and the Chief Scientist at New Mind Technologies. With over 30 years of experience, he is a world-renowned expert in QEEG brain mapping and neurofeedback, dedicated to bridging the gap between modern technology and ancient spiritual practices. He has mentored groundbreaking research into the neurological effects of Ayahuasca and Wachuma, helping practitioners use neurofeedback to integrate and sustain profound shamanic shifts.

We touch upon topics of:

03:45 – Dr. Soutar’s early spiritual awakening and experiments with altered states in high school.

07:20 – The realization that psychedelic experiences mirror high-level meditation with added "sensory noise."

10:15 – Discovering neurofeedback as "electronic yoga" for inducing deep meditative states.

14:30 – How neurofeedback serves as a "crash course in reality" following psychedelic breakthroughs.

17:10 – The role of the default mode network as a portal between dimensions.

21:05 – Defining neurofeedback: Selective feedback loops and operant conditioning for brain exercise.

24:50 – Using topographic QEEG brain maps to identify areas of low or high electrical activity.

27:30 – Scientific findings: How Ayahuasca pushes the brain toward optimal statistical norms.

30:15 – The "drift" factor: Why psychedelic improvements often dissipate after three months without integration.

33:40 – The paradox of Ayahuasca: Upregulating or downregulating the same brain areas based on individual needs.

37:20 – Accessing "liminal states" between waking and sleep for trauma resolution.

41:10 – How psychedelics and meditation can alter DNA and RNA to heal transgenerational trauma.

45:00 – Shaking up the system: Using neurofeedback to sustain the neuroplasticity triggered by medicine.

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

Find more about Dr. Richard Soutar at www.newmindtechnologies.com

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Daniel McQueen. Daniel is a psychedelic specialist, author, and pioneer who co-founded the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness in Boulder, Colorado. With a master’s in transpersonal counseling psychology, he has spent over a decade at the forefront of the psychedelic renaissance, notably developing cannabis-assisted psychedelic therapy and leading groundbreaking work in the field of extended-state DMT.

We touch upon topics of:

03:12 – The transition from Western mysticism to grounded psychotherapeutic practices.

05:45 – Balancing indigenous ceremonial traditions with modern clinical settings.

09:30 – Defining DMTX: The technology behind "stable state" extended DMT journeys.

11:15 – The unique ability to "turn off" or pause a psychedelic experience using infusion pumps.

13:50 – Safety, medical alternatives, and the duration of extended-state sessions.

16:20 – Encountering entities, spirits, and the "presence" in the DMT realm.

20:45 – Facilitating communication and gaining direct access to the creative brain.

23:10 – Descriptions of entity forms: From ancestors to geometric and insect-like beings.

25:30 – Reaching cosmic-centric states and universal bliss through increased dosage.

28:15 – How spirits "taught" the team to refine the DMTX medical protocol.

31:40 – Theories on the non-physical, higher-dimensional nature of the DMT reality.

35:00 – The potential for mapping the DMT realm and using AI to stabilize brainwave patterns.

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

Find more about Daniel McQueen at www.medicinalmindfulness.org

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In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Ronan Levy. Ronan is a pioneering entrepreneur, co-founder and former Executive Chairman of Field Trip Health, author of The Ketamine Breakthrough, and host of the Ronan Levy Podcast. A former lawyer turned innovator in cannabis, biotech, and psychedelics, Ronan focuses on scaling mental health solutions and exploring how altered states can reshape human wellbeing and consciousness.

We touch upon topics of

00:00–01:35 Ronan’s background, cannabis, ketamine, and entering the psychedelic space

01:35–05:11 From lawyer to entrepreneur, cannabis clinics, and discovering plant medicine as real medicine

05:11–09:19 The psychedelic zeitgeist, investment boom, and why the hype cycle has cooled

09:19–12:53 Psychedelics becoming normalized vs pharmaceutical models and the future of adoption

12:53–16:15 Alcohol, cannabis, psychedelics, and personal freedom vs societal responsibility

16:15–19:09 Capitalism, conscious capitalism, and market dynamics in cannabis and psychedelics

19:09–22:13 Running a spiritual business, money, ethics, and balancing purpose with profitability

22:13–24:13 Entrepreneurship as a spiritual path, stress, and personal growth through business

24:13–29:17 Wealth, success, and why money doesn’t solve deeper emotional or spiritual problems

29:17–33:52 Life as a game, meaning, productivity, and embracing both struggle and fulfillment

33:52–35:47 Relationships, self-awareness, and recurring life lessons

35:47–38:22 Cannabis vs psychedelics, product vs service, and different use contexts

38:22–41:22 Responsible use, set and setting, and personal vs ceremonial psychedelic use

41:22–43:01 Longevity, mental health, and what actually creates a long and fulfilling life

43:01–45:24 Psychedelics, neuroplasticity, and unlocking creativity and new perspectives

45:24–47:25 The future of psychedelics, community-driven models, and resistance to corporate commodification

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

Find more about Ronan Levy at ronanlevy.com, on Instagram @ronandlevy, LinkedIn, and through his new project Fun Loving Company (@wearefunloving on Instagram).

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Alexander Beiner. Alexander is an author, cultural commentator, co-founder of Rebel Wisdom, Executive Director of Breaking Convention, and author of The Bigger Picture. His work explores psychedelics, sensemaking, culture, and how transformative experiences and cognitive science can help us navigate the social and political challenges of the modern world.

We touch upon topics of

00:00–02:42 Alexander’s early psychedelic experiences, Psychonautica, and the online psychonaut forums before the current renaissance

02:42–07:10 The current psychedelic renaissance vs the previous one, psychedelic capitalism, and the risk of psychedelics being captured by late-stage capitalism

07:10–12:07 Can psychedelics still transform society if they go mainstream? The “psychedelic Walmart” question and the importance of containers

12:07–17:20 The argument from The Bigger Picture: psychedelics teach us a way of being, not just new ideas

17:20–19:23 Pain, truth, and the transformative power of going directly into what hurts

19:23–23:02 Culture as “people like us do things like this” and why changing systems is harder than changing individuals

23:02–24:17 Why society feels sick, and whether psychedelics can help us change fast enough

24:17–28:04 AI, abundance, Star Trek, space exploration, and why exploration may be humanity’s next frontier

28:04–33:45 The Imperial College DMT study, intravenous DMT, hyperspace, entity encounters, and the sense of entering a real ecosystem

33:45–36:17 Are DMT entities “real”? Consciousness, idealism, and synchronicities

36:17–39:26 Synchronicity, writing, manifestation, and how inner state affects what shows up in life

39:26–42:45 Responsibility, control, grief, and balancing personal agency with surrender to larger systems

42:45–46:07 Consciousness, truth, and how psychedelics shift Alexander’s worldview

46:07–49:32 Healing vs purpose, what we are healing for, and how to avoid spiritual bypassing

49:32–50:26 Where to find Alexander, his book, and his current work through Kainos

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

Find more about Alexander Beiner through his book The Bigger Picture, his platform Kainos on Substack, and on Instagram under Alexander Beiner.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ has a conversation with Cory Firth. Cory is a psychedelic coach and consultant, former Executive Director of the Psychedelic Association of Canada, and a leading voice in mental health policy reform and flow state neuroscience. After overcoming a 20-year battle with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation, Cory now helps others bridge ancient wisdom and modern science to unlock human potential and live more integrated, purpose-driven lives.

We touch upon topics of

00:00–02:30 Cory’s childhood, early depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation

02:30–07:00 Entrepreneurship, burnout, health struggles, and searching for healing

07:00–11:30 Discovering ayahuasca and the first life-changing ceremony

11:30–15:30 Integration challenges and leaving his marketing agency

15:30–20:00 Founding work in the Psychedelic Association of Canada and policy reform

20:00–24:30 Psychedelic advocacy, MDMA and psilocybin access in Canada

24:30–31:00 Trauma-driven performance and learning to channel ambition differently

31:00–36:30 Flow states, effortless action, and the neuroscience of optimal performance

36:30–43:00 The relationship between psychedelics and accessing flow

43:00–48:30 Parenting, morning routines, and finding balance with young children

48:30–54:00 Psychedelics and fatherhood, relationships, and emotional growth

54:00–58:00 Postpartum challenges, resilience, and healing through psychedelics

58:00–01:03:00 The future of psychedelic access, culture, and policy change

01:03:00–01:06:00 Integrating psychedelic philosophy into everyday life and society

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

Find more about Cory Firth at coryf.com and follow his writing and updates on LinkedIn. You can also watch his banned TED-style talk on YouTube where he shares more of his personal story.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) sits down with Adam Butler — psychedelic philosopher, researcher, and author of Butler’s DMT Field Guide. Adam shares his transformation from addiction, depression, and a suicidal breaking point into a life built around self-knowledge, meditation, and consciousness exploration. We cover the differences between ayahuasca and smoked DMT, safety/containment, “midlife crisis” vs depression, entity/spiritual protection, and how to integrate extreme experiences into real-world change — plus a lighter look at creativity, leadership, and relationships.

00:01 – 00:50 Intro: Adam Butler, Butler’s DMT Field Guide, “DMT-saturated perspective”

00:55 – 03:27 Adam’s background: alcohol removal, depression, suicidal ideation, life “on paper” vs inner collapse; mushrooms as the start

03:28 – 06:12 The DMT “last resort” moment and first breakthrough: perspective shift, present-moment relief, not a magic pill but a turning point

06:12 – 07:55 Oliver update (LaWayra GM story) + Sam’s question: am I in a midlife crisis?

08:06 – 12:34 Midlife crisis vs depression: “indicator lights,” pressure buildup, avoiding explosion, alignment vs masking with work/alcohol/pills

12:34 – 17:11 What heals? neuroplasticity vs spiritual process, “instruction manual” feelings, vibration/hum, expanded senses, getting out of your own way

17:11 – 24:00 Smoked DMT vs ayahuasca: duration (~7–8 minutes), intensity, “no hangover,” multiple sessions in one sitting, pros/cons of each modality

24:00 – 30:41 Safety + spiritual protection: why containers matter, sitter/space-holding, intention/reverence, entity risks, disclaimers around solo use

30:41 – 36:48 Sam’s position: no gatekeeping, but sequence matters; risks of DIY ayahuasca; responsibility to prevent backlash in the “renaissance”

36:48 – 40:44 Adam agrees: cautious approach, book as conversation starter, recent entity-heavy session = why first-timers shouldn’t go alone

40:44 – 46:33 Fun/esoteric side: “recognition” of DMT, jester/entities, body “diagnostic,” future-self feeling, being “moved” to another space

46:33 – 52:08 Integration: inner compass + accountability, practices that sustain alignment, psychedelics not for everyone, nature retreats as medicine too

52:08 – 55:00 Beyond therapy: creativity, science, politics/leadership, relationships + intimacy (with care), enjoying being human

55:00 – 56:36 Where to find Adam: socials + free PDF offer; closing

If you got value from this conversation with Adam Butler, please share it with one person who needs to hear it. And if you haven’t already, subscribe / follow the show so you don’t miss the next episode.

Instagram / social handle: @booksbyadambutler (this is his main handle across most platforms)

Email (for a free PDF copy of his book): [email protected]

Book: Butler’s DMT Field Guide (Adam also shares access directly via email)

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Paul F. Austin. Paul is a leading pioneer in the modern psychedelic movement, founder of Third Wave, author of Mastering Microdosing, host of The Psychedelic Podcast, and head of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. He focuses on psychedelic education, microdosing protocols, and training practitioners to help scale the responsible use of these medicines in the modern world.

We touch upon topics of

00:01–00:44 Introduction to Paul F. Austin and his work

00:44–03:14 Paul’s early LSD experiences and conservative upbringing

03:14–04:17 First microdosing protocol and founding Third Wave

04:18–07:08 Convincing his parents and guiding his dad through a mushroom journey

07:09–10:01 Parent–child healing and psychedelic experiences together

10:02–13:29 The “third wave” of psychedelics explained (indigenous → LSD era → today)

13:30–15:45 Microdosing as the safest path to legalization and cultural acceptance

15:46–17:29 Stepwise dosing and retreat philosophies

17:30–20:16 Why different psychedelics require different approaches

20:17–22:09 Psilocybin tolerance and retreat spacing strategies

22:10–27:29 Microdosing LSD vs psilocybin vs wachuma

27:30–30:48 Vine-only microdosing and adaptogenic effects

30:49–35:34 Psychedelics vs SSRIs and the “crutch” metaphor

35:35–41:39 Importance of psychedelic education and practitioner training

41:40–45:38 Addiction, cannabis dependence, and integration

45:39–49:15 “CEO medicine” and psychedelics for conscious leadership

49:16–52:27 What Paul is excited about in 2026 and the future of psychedelics

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

Find more about Paul F. Austin at thethirdwave.co and follow him on social media at @PaulAustin3W

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with a group of MMA fighters, veterans, and researchers from the Athletes Journey Home Foundation. The episode features Ian McCall, Mark “The Shark” Irwin, Luke Jensen, and several fighters including Matthew Morton, Clinton Foshee, Faith Phillips, Jared Fekete, and Fernando Marrero, sharing their stories of trauma, traumatic brain injuries, addiction, military service, and how ayahuasca may support healing and recovery.

We touch upon topics of

00:01–04:20 Vision of fighters drinking ayahuasca and creation of the MMA retreat

04:20–08:30 Ian McCall, Athletes Journey Home, and the purpose of the retreat

08:30–14:50 Mark Irwin’s psychedelic journey and fighting career

14:50–20:30 Ian’s experience with ayahuasca, ibogaine, and fighter healing

20:30–27:40 Group dynamics of fighters in ceremony and shared vulnerability

27:40–34:30 Luke Jensen’s neuroscience research and QEEG findings

34:30–44:10 Matthew Morton's addiction, trauma, and ayahuasca experience

44:10–52:30 Clinton Foshee’s traumatic brain injury and cognitive improvements

52:30–01:04:00 Faith’s military PTSD, feminine energy, and ayahuasca healing

01:04:00–01:14:20 Jared’s veteran journey, relationships, and inner transformation

01:14:20–01:27:30 Fernando Marrero’s life story, fighting career, and TBI recovery

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

Find more about Athletes Journey Home at athletesjourneyhome.org and follow Ian McCall on social media.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Wade Davis. Wade is a world-renowned ethnobotanist, anthropologist, and explorer; former National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence; and author of One River, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The Wayfinders, and Magdalena. Together, they explore Wade’s early journey into Colombia, Richard Evans Schultes, the roots of Yahé/ayahuasca knowledge, ayahuasca tourism, and Wade’s mission to liberate coca from the shadow of cocaine.

We touch upon topics of

00:01–00:52 Wade Davis intro and why this conversation matters

00:55–09:38 Wade’s first arrival in Colombia, “destiny,” and meeting Schultes (plus Schultes’ advice to try ayahuasca)

09:38–22:55 Did Schultes go deep with entheogens? Set & setting, pioneers, and the psychedelic era context

22:55–25:28 Yahé vs ayahuasca in Colombia: pharmacology, MAOIs, admixture plants, and early research

25:28–36:02 Why Peru became the ayahuasca “center” and how access shaped tourism (and why Colombia being overlooked helped)

36:02–41:10 Colombia, violence, and the “peace dividend” of a more intact Amazon

41:10–01:01:38 Coca: benefits, racism behind demonization, nutrition, WHO/UN policies, and why it matters for Colombia

01:01:38–01:14:23 Wade’s travels, National Geographic mission, and the McKenna brothers story (Dennis vs Terence)

01:14:23–01:27:16 Ayahuasca vs other entheogens: frequency, respect, terrifying vs ecstatic experiences, San Pedro comparisons

01:27:16–01:33:04 Sam’s “third S” (skill): preparation, dosage, integration, and how modern retreats can work well

01:33:04–01:36:31 Wade’s closing lesson: “Take your side and get on with it”

01:36:31–01:37:59 Where to start with Wade’s books + invitation to visit LaWayra

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

Find more about Wade Davis at www.daviswade.com