What happens when a 25-year career at CNN ends — and a new life begins?

In this episode of Divergent States, we talk with Cesar Marin, former CNN producer and founder of Microdosing Over 50, about how psychedelics helped him navigate midlife, identity loss, and personal reinvention.

Cesar shares his journey from broadcast media to becoming an advocate for intentional microdosing later in life. We explore the difference between microdosing for healing vs optimization, how intention shapes outcomes, and why people over 50 face unique integration challenges.

We also discuss:
 • Microdosing psilocybin vs LSD
 • Career loss and psychedelic-driven reinvention
 • Presence, connection, and integration practices
 • How media shapes psychedelic narratives
 • Why midlife may be the most powerful time for change
 • Healing vs performance framing in psychedelic use
 • Stigma, legality, and education
 • Building a mission-driven life after burnout

This conversation is about more than substances — it’s about agency, curiosity, and what happens when you stop outsourcing your meaning.

🎧 Extended version available on Patreon
🎓 Zendo Project peer-support training: use code DIVERGENTS10
🧠 For listeners interested in microdosing, midlife transitions, and psychedelic culture

https://cultivatingwisdom.net/

⏱️ Chapter Markers

00:00 – Introduction & Cesar’s background
 01:45 – 25 years at CNN and getting laid off
 04:30 – Discovering psychedelics at 55
 06:40 – Cultivating Wisdom & microdosing over 50
 10:15 – Loss, grief, and mission-driven work
 13:10 – What shifted personally
 17:45 – Early doubts and first psychedelic experience
 22:23 – Fun vs healing: why people stay
 22:41 – How media shaped his psychedelic voice
 26:13 – Bad headlines and stigma
 28:26 – Why storytelling matters
 29:18 – Midlife fear and reinvention
 32:12 – “It’s not almost over — it’s just starting”
 33:18 – Integration for older adults
 37:55 – Meditation, presence, and connection
 39:13 – Healing vs optimization
 43:45 – Microdosing LSD vs psilocybin
 46:36 – Psychedelic commercialization
 47:47 – Public episode wrap-up
 48:31 – Post-interview reflections
 50:05 – Bryan’s takeaway
 52:11 – Healing vs optimization framing
 54:17 – Outro & Patreon plug

Send a text

FiresideProject.org

Download the app or text/call 62-FIRESIDE

Zendo Project
Our listeners get 10% off the Zendo Project SIT Program with the code DIVERGENTS10

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Support the show

Special Thanks to our Macrodosers, Super D and Mike on Patreon!

https://linktr.ee/3L1T3Mod