The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Purple Lady & The Multiverse: Shane Mauss on DMT Entitiesand Mind-Bending Trips

   In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Shane Mauss. Shane is an award-winning stand-up comedian, science communicator, and host of the long-running podcast Here We Are. Known for blending evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and comedy, he is also the creator of the documentary Psychonautics and the immersive two-part comedy special Trips, filmed at Meow Wolf. 0:00 - 02:40: Shane’s background, rebel youth, and blending science, comedy, and psychedelics 02:41 - 08:52: The origin of Trips and creating immersive visual comedy experiences 08:53 - 11:45: Conventional education vs. self-directed learning and humor as an educational tool 11:46 - 24:32: The famous "Purple Lady" DMT entity story and shared trip experiences 24:33 - 36:58: Exploring the reality of trip visions, brain architecture, and Jungian archetypes 36:59 - 42:33: Navigating dogmatic spiritual views, ego-centrism, and mania in psychedelic spaces 42:34 - 55:46: Shane’s dark side of psychedelics: Reckless use, manic psychosis, and Psychonautics 55:47 - 58:20: Grounding fail-safes in traditional Ayahuasca use vs. unguided tripping 58:21 - 1:03:52: Performing stand-up comedy while under the influence of LSD and mushrooms 1:03:53 - 1:05:48: The challenges of accidental microdosing and trying to function in normal life 1:05:49 - 1:09:00: Details on Shane's Trips special, Meow Wolf, and future projects If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com. Find more about Shane Mauss at www.shanemauss.com.

   August 25, 2026·1h 10min
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   Number 2: Secrets to Living to 87: Dr. Richard Louis Miller on Microdosing, Exercise, and Beating Terminal Diagnoses

   In this episode of the Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ speaks with Dr. Richard Louis Miller, a clinical psychologist with over 60 years of experience in humanistic psychology and addiction recovery. Dr. Miller is a former faculty member at Stanford University and the University of Michigan, an advisor to the President's Commission on Mental Health, founder of the Wilbur Hot Springs Health Sanctuary and the Cokenders program, and author of Psychedelic Medicine. Dr. Miller shares his journey through the early psychedelic movement, the historical and political factors behind drug prohibition, and his personal protocols for longevity and health. Key Episode Highlights & Timestamps First Psychedelic Experiences & The 1960s Renaissance (01:36 - 08:31) Dr. Miller recounts his first experiences with DMT, Sandoz LSD at the Esalen Institute in 1967, and ingesting Morning Glory seeds after reading Timothy Leary and Richard Alpert's work. He discusses how the subsequent 50-year government shutdown affected early research. Pioneering Holistic Addiction Treatment (04:38 - 06:19) Establishing the Wilbur Hot Springs sanctuary and the first holistic health chemical dependence program, integrating meditation, exercise, nutrition, and acupuncture to safely detox over 1,500 individuals. Societal Structures, Politics, and Psychedelics (12:53 - 25:11) Dr. Miller and Sam explore how psychedelics dissolve boundaries and foster a sense of planetary unity. They discuss why governments have historically restricted these substances, the pitfalls of societal division, and alternative models of social care and taxation. Longevity Protocols at 87 (32:25 - 41:42) Dr. Miller shares his personal maintenance routine for longevity: weightlifting, daily aerobic conditioning, strict nutrition, drinking half his body weight in ounces of water daily, and maintaining active social connections in line with Blue Zone principles. Overcoming Terminal Health Diagnoses & Microdosing (43:15 - 47:58) How Dr. Miller reversed terminal heart failure and survived nodular melanoma, highlighting the role of double aerobic exercise, a strong immune system, and disciplined LSD microdosing in his recovery. LSD, Creativity, and Innovation (47:58 - 52:16) The historical impact of LSD on scientific discoveries and technology (such as DNA sequencing and Silicon Valley innovation), and the lost potential caused by ongoing restrictions. Mentioned Books by Dr. Richard Louis Miller Psychedelic Medicine Master Your Mind The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Benefits of Psychedelic Medicine (Upcoming) Connect & Learn More Ayahuasca Retreats: Visit www.lawayra.com Dr. Richard Louis Miller: Learn more at wilburhotsprings.com or find his books and content on Amazon and social media platforms.

   August 13, 2026·59min
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   Number 3: Ayahuasca, relationships, addiction and control with Jacquie Wortley

   In this episode of the Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ sits down with Jacquie Wortley, a design leader, executive coach, and operations consultant who specializes in the intersection of technology, leadership, and mental health. Jacquie originally came to Lawayra in 2023 for what was supposed to be a simple weekend stay. Instead, she stayed for 10 days, sat with the medicine six times, and completely catalyzed her path away from emotional suppression, toxic relationship cycles, and excessive substance use. Jacquie returns to share how her integration has evolved over the years, the profound lessons she learned from navigating a romantic relationship post-ceremony in July 2025, and how she is redefining corporate culture by introducing radical authenticity and soft skills to modern business environments. Key Discussion Points 03:15 – The Runaway Nomad: Jacquie shares her journey from Vancouver to Toronto, building a successful tech career while using geographical changes and excessive partying to run from family turbulence and emotional pain. 07:45 – Sending a Scout: How testing the waters by sending a close friend to Lawayra first eventually led Jacquie to book her own transformative, 10-day marathon with the medicine. 11:20 – Shift in Substances: Outgrowing the "excessive user" label, eliminating stimulant drugs entirely, and shifting her relationship with alcohol away from a coping mechanism. 16:40 – Don't Wake a Sleeping Baby: Jacquie opens up about her past mistake of trying to force psychedelic healing onto her previous partner before he was ready, and what it taught her about patience, humility, and unconditional love. 23:15 – The Illusion of Being "Chill": A deep look into the paradox of control issues, why the people who need to surrender the most fight the medicine the hardest, and Sam's story of a breakthrough moment over a mattress arrangement. 29:10 – The Conscious Operator: Stepping away from the traditional corporate "COO" mask to focus on deep inner self-awareness as the ultimate foundation for managing people and business logistics. 35:00 – Radical Responsibility at Work: How leaders can handle difficult interpersonal dynamics with transparency, drop the professional facade, and own their emotional capacity with their teams. 41:30 – Brainstorming the Entrepreneur Mastermind: Sam and Jacquie dive into a spontaneous idea to co-create a specialized Lawayra retreat tailored specifically for business owners, founders, and managers to combine ceremony with peer masterminds. 46:15 – Unmasking Safely: How to navigate corporate vulnerability, identifying who you can safely open up to at work, and introducing feminine leadership into masculine environments. The Mechanics of Control and Surrender A central theme of Jacquie and Sam's dialogue centers around how trauma survivors often use hyper-vigilance and control as a shield. Ayahuasca systematically deconstructs this defense mechanism, teaching that true surrender is an internal energetic release rather than an intellectual concept. As Jacquie notes, the medicine teaches you in the most frustrating way that head-in-the-bucket submission is often required before you can truly connect. The Reality of Relational Integration Jacquie reflects deeply on her experience dating her partner again after his first retreat in July 2025. She points out a crucial lesson for anyone navigating relationships post-ceremony: "The ceremonies are simply just a vision of what could be. But it's our integration that makes that vision into reality. Integration happens through conscious choice making and behavioral changes in our day-to-day life." Expecting a first-time sitter to integrate at the exact pace of a seasoned practitioner is a form of projection. True unconditional love means releasing control and allowing others to be exactly who they are on their own path. Connect with Jacquie Wortley: LinkedIn: Jacquie Wortley Instagram: @jacquiewortley Join the Conscious Leader Movement: If the idea of an exclusive mastermind retreat for entrepreneurs, managers, and business operators resonates with you, let us know! Drop a comment on Spotify, YouTube, or reach out directly via Instagram to Sam or Jacquie. To book a traditional retreat focused on deep inner awareness, visit: ayahuascaincolombia.com If you appreciated this raw look into integration and leadership, please rate the show 5 stars!

   May 20, 2026·1h 7min
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   Number 4: Rick Doblin - 40 Years of MAPS, MDMA, and the Race Between Consciousness and Catastrophe

   In this episode of the Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ sits down with Rick Doblin, Ph.D., the visionary founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies). Rick has spent over 40 years leading the "Psychedelic Renaissance," moving MDMA through rigorous FDA clinical trials to treat PTSD and advocating for a post-prohibition world. Rick shares his profound journey—from a draft resistor in the 70s to a global leader in drug policy—explaining why he believes humanity is currently in a "race between consciousness and catastrophe." Key Discussion Points 04:15 – The Origins of Passion: Rick describes his upbringing in the shadow of the Holocaust and the Cuban Missile Crisis, which led to a lifelong quest to bridge the gap between human intellectual power and spiritual maturity. 09:30 – The Bar Mitzvah That Wasn't: Why Rick’s first LSD trip at 17 felt like the true "rite of passage" his traditional Bar Mitzvah failed to provide, sparking his interest in ancient transformative rituals. 13:45 – The "Hitler Within": A vulnerable recount of a DMT and Ketamine sequence in 1984 where Rick realized that the capacity for evil exists within everyone, leading to his mission for "mass mental health." 18:20 – The Birth of MAPS (1986): Navigating the DEA crackdowns of the 80s and deciding that medicalization through the FDA was the only viable path forward for psychedelics. 24:50 – A Global "Ayahuasca Day"? Sam and Rick discuss the potential of cultural integration—moving psychedelics from the counterculture to the mainstream as a tool for societal sanity. 29:10 – The Inflection Point: Rick reflects on the irony of President Trump’s executive order to accelerate psychedelic approvals and what it means for bipartisan support. 34:00 – Inner Work as a Global Necessity: Discussing Carl Jung’s warning that "the only real danger now is man himself" and how psychedelics can help us manage our own destructive capacities. 39:15 – Post-Apocalyptic Utopia: Exploring the vision of a world where technology handles labor, leaving humanity to focus on poetry, art, music, and consciousness. The MAPS Strategy: From Criminal to Clinical Rick explains that the strategy for the last 40 years has been to "go where the suffering is." By focusing on treatment-resistant PTSD, MAPS has been able to show that these substances are not just "party drugs" but powerful tools for clinical healing. The Race Between Consciousness and Catastrophe Rick posits that as our technological capabilities (AI, nuclear energy, etc.) grow, our emotional and spiritual development must keep pace. Without a shift in consciousness, our advancements become tools for destruction. Learn more about Rick Doblin and MAPS: Website: maps.org Rick’s TED Talk: The future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy Experience Authentic Healing: Are you seeking your own "inner transformation"? Visit ayahuascaincolombia.com to learn about our retreats in the heart of Colombia.

   May 11, 2026·1h 12min
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   Number 5: Weed Addiction and Bad Trips with Your Mate Tom (Tom Campossano)

   In this episode of the Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of Lawayra) sits down with Tom Camposano, the creator behind the globally recognized YouTube channel Your Mate Tom. Tom is an Australian filmmaker who has spent over a decade documenting the intersection of psychedelics, psychology, and grounded spirituality for a community of millions. Tom shares his raw evolution from a rebellious teenager battling addiction to a prominent voice in the psychedelic movement, offering a masterclass on how to navigate the "dark side" of the ego and the "light side" of spiritual awakening. Key Discussion Points 02:15 – Tom’s first mushroom trip and the sudden realization that "time doesn't exist." 05:40 – The call to Peru: How a rock-bottom moment in Thailand led to his first life-changing Ayahuasca journey. 09:50 – Comparing the "Grandmother" (Ayahuasca) to the "Grandfather" (San Pedro/Huachuma): Feminine chaos vs. masculine grounding. 14:20 – Sam’s experiment of mixing mushrooms into an Ayahuasca ceremony and how the "plant family" interacts. 18:45 – The "Sandal" of the Mother: What happens when Ayahuasca punishes you for coming back without doing your integration homework. 22:30 – Surviving an "11/10" bad trip: A harrowing story of a psychotic break and the collective suffering of humanity. 27:10 – The "Slippery Slope" of Cannabis: Tom’s 20-year struggle with weed addiction and the intensity of modern high-THC withdrawals. 33:15 – Why modern cannabis (30-40% THC) acts more like "cocaine from cocoa leaves" than the gentle plant of the past. 38:50 – Grounded Spirituality: Learning to stop taking the shamanic path so seriously and allowing space for joy and laughter. The Spectrum of Teachers Tom and Sam discuss how different plant medicines serve different functions in a person's life: Ayahuasca: Often described as a "spiritual surgeon." It is tough, purging, and can be terrifyingly honest about your shadows. San Pedro (Huachuma): A heart-opening, 10–12 hour "mountain hike" for the soul. It provides the endurance to process things in a grounded way. Mushrooms: The "Jolly Teacher." While deep at high doses, they often provide a more playful and organic connection to the earth. On Cannabis and "The Fog" A major takeaway from the episode is the impact of heavy cannabis use on the psychedelic experience. Tom explains that for many, weed creates a "creative feeling without the execution," and Sam notes that frequent smokers often have a much harder time "breaking through" in an Ayahuasca ceremony because of the mental fog it leaves behind. Follow Tom Camposano (Your Mate Tom): YouTube: Your Mate Tom Instagram: @yourmatetom Experience Ayahuasca in Colombia: If you are looking for a safe, authentic, and grounded environment to explore these medicines, visit: ayahuascaincolombia.com If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review!

   April 26, 2026·1h 6min
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