In this episode, I talk with Gina Gratza, who specializes in psychedelic-assisted facilitation.

In our conversation, Gina tells us about the many different organizations she is involved in and the work she does with them, including psychedelic integration and coaching, being an Oregon Psilocybin Facilitator, working with the Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, and serving as Program Coordinator and Lead Educator at InnerTrek.

Gina also highlights many of the influential experiences and trainings that inform the work she does from an internship at a treatment center for eating disorders to trainings in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS),  sensory psychotherapy, and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT).

Gina also shares how she came to psychedelics after attending Burning Man and having an enlightening experience. This leads our conversation to recognize the infinite paths one can take to finding their place in the psychedelic field as well as exploring consciousness. We also touch on the importance of recognizing our shadow selves and the shadow side of psychedelics.

Finally, Gina reflects on the future of psychedelics and her hope for the Oregon Psilocybin Facilitation program to inform future programs in other states and the vision for psychedelics to promote deeper community healing.

Time Stamps:

(4:21) Gina’s involvement in various organizations within the psychedelic field

(7:51) The importance of working with women and creating community spaces for identity expression in psychedelic integration and support

(25:14) How psychedelics play a role in Gina’s work: doing your own work with psychedelics and consciousness and logistics of having two businesses while being a licensed therapist

(46:27) Internships and trainings that influence Gina’s work

(57:27) Advice on how to find trainings and grow your skillset

(1:08:40) How Gina became curious about psychedelics: Burning Man, integrating into the underground nightlife  in Los Angeles, and recognizing the different ways to engage in plan medicines and psychedelics

(1:19:04) The shadow side of psychedelics: navigating psychedelic hype, managing expectations, the variety of modalities for healing trauma and exploring consciousness

(1:41:12) Future of the psychedelic field and Gina’s work

(1:49:47) Gina’s last piece of advice: remember to play

Links:

Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab

Cora Center

Chariot

InnerTrek

Oregon’s Legal Psilocybin Website:

Trainings:

EMDR

Sensory psychotherapy

Somatic experiencing

IFS

Grief work

Connect with Gina:

Website: www.ginagratza.com

LinkedIn

Instagram: @gina.gratza

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Robinson, the author of 14 books and a marriage and family therapist located in California.

In our conversation, Jonathan tells us about his work in bringing together MDMA experiences and therapy. He discusses how his protocol is unique to other work being done with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by emphasizing therapeutic modalities.

We also talk about Jonathan’s online course on MDMA facilitation and how he created it for anyone passionate about helping others heal. Additionally, we talk about Jonathan’s newest book,  Ecstasy as Medicine, a valuable resource filled with 40 years of knowledge and experience to aid others in healing and self-discovery.

We cover Jonathan’s journey to finding meditation and psychedelics in pursuit of healing his trauma from growing up in a dysfunctional family and his masters thesis research on MDMA therapy in the 1980s.

Throughout our conversation, we highlight valuable advice from Jonathan, like 5 second methods for gratitude and happiness and finding supportive communities to help ourselves strengthen our weaknesses.

Finally, Jonathan reflects on the future of psychedelics and how he plans to continue to provide accessible knowledge and education to those interested in helping others.

Time Stamps:

(4:44) Jonathan’s work as a marriage and family therapist and how he integrates MDMA into his practice and how he keeps his work legal

(8:46) The value of doing MDMA therapy over zoom and how to manage safety and challenging experiences in a virtual therapy session

(17:51) What makes Jonathan’s protocol of MDMA therapy different from the MAPS protocol

(24:04) Jonathan’s online MDMA facilitation course - what is it and who is it for?

(32:21) Perspectives on therapists and sitters having experience with psychedelics when working with patients or clients

(34:58) Jonathan’s newest book - Ecstasy as Medicine

(44:10) The beauty of Jonathan’s parents trying MDMA

(47:04) How Jonathan found psychedelics - healing trauma from a dysfunctional family to studying psychology at the University of California Santa Barbara

(51:23) A 5 second method  for gratitude

(59:02) Jonathan’s master's thesis on MDMA therapy 

(1:00:18) Additional education and the value of experiential learning - undergraduate degree in Psychology and a non-accredited PhD in recreational pharmacology

(1:03:30) Advice on finding a balance between experiential knowledge and formal education - finding supportive communities to strengthen your weaknesses

(1:09:05) The future of psychedelics and Jonathan’s desire to continue educating others

(1:16:55) Jonathan’s last advice - keep exploring

Links:

Healing with MDMA Course: https://dandelion.events/e/mdmacourse

Book Ecstasy as Medicine: https://ecstasyasmedicine.com/

Website: XTCasmedicine.com

Podcast - Awareness Explorers: https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/

Website: https://findinghappiness.com/

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

In this episode, I talk with Christi Meyers, the Founder and CEO of Flow Integrative, a ketamine infusion clinic in San Diego, California.

In our conversation, Christi tells us about Flow Integrative as a form of practicing medicine that provides ketamine infusion therapy, as well as Flow Institute as an educational platform. She discusses the characteristics that make Flow Integrative unique, including its holistic wellness model in bringing together the mind, body, and spirit.

We also talk about how Christi’s diverse background in fire jumping, emergency medicine, and teaching led her down a path to learning about ketamine as a tool to “help the help,” which birthed the idea of Flow Integrative.

Throughout our conversation, we highlight valuable advice from Christi, like the importance of sitting with ketamine for those interested in providing it to patients. Finally, Christi reflects on the future of psychedelics and her hope for the continued evolution of ourselves so we can better serve the greater good of humanity.

Time Stamps:

(5:45) What is Flow Integrative and how it is shifting the practice of healthcare by connection the mind, body and spirit with oneness

(9:13) The importance of IV ketamine infusions as a modality of administration

(14:06) What is it like to be a patient of Flow Integrative? - meeting patients where they are at so they can heal themselves

(22:25) Ketamine regulation and insurance in California and employee-driven benefits through Dr. Bronners

(30:46) The set and setting of ketamine therapy at Flow Integrative

(34:56) Christi’s journey in fire jumping, emergency medicine, and teaching that led her to ketamine as therapy

(50:20) Working with other plant medicines in therapy and the ability for them to deprogram and evolve human consciousness

(59:05) Tapping into yourself to find your path and purpose through medication, fasting, and sitting with the medicine

(1:5:07) The future of the psychedelic field - continuously evolve, find your tribe, and “If it doesn’t resonate with you, you don’t have to stay there to find your people" 

(1:28:53) Additional insights for listeners - Flow Integrative is working on opportunities for volunteering and internships for those interested in working with the medicine

(1:31:22) Contact information

Links:

Flow Integrative: https://flowintegrativeketamine.com/

Flow Integrative for Physicians: https://flowintegrative.org/our-team

Direct Line to Flow Integrative: 909-735-FLOW (3569)

Forces of Habit: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674010031

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie.

Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie have been working as underground facilitators of plant medicine for several years. In our conversation, they speak about how they were called to plant medicine and found each other through music.

We also talk about opening up about facilitating plant medicine ceremonies and the challenge and importance of it.

Ena shares her experiences from studying Indigenous Science at Naropa University and how walking the Red Road shapes her plant medicine work now. Dr. Howard Lipp discusses the value of exploring his experiences in facilitation during his PhD program in Metaphysical Humanistic Science.

We also cover topics of integration, community, and the sentient role of plants. Finally, Howard and Ena reflect on their future in the psychedelic field as continuing to provide integrative support for others.

Time Stamps:

(04:11) How Howard was called to plant medicine, found his way to Ena through music, and introduced Ena to plant medicine

(06:18) How Ena’s experience with walking the Red Road and plant medicine provided her an opportunity for rebirth and a sense of peace after leaving the structured framework of religion

(20:01) The essential role of integration in bringing the Devine moments of psychedelic experiences into everyday life

(35:21) Coming out about underground ceremonial facilitation - why now and why is it important to Howard and Ena

(46:06) Howard and Ena’s website, book, and podcast

(49:55) Community and the need for connection as a basis for integration

(01:02:03) The sentient nature of plants to teach us

(01:16:15) Ena’s education at Naropa University, earning a Master’s Degree in Indigenous Science, and learning from indigenous elders in France while walking the Red Road

(01:21:03) Howard’s PhD in Metaphysical Humanistic Science - how this unique program allowed him to integrate his experiences with plant medicine facilitation with academic inquiry

(01:28:57) Howard and Ena’s future in continuing ongoing integrative support for other facilitators and participants in the psychedelic field

(01:35:39) Where to find Howard and Ena’s music

(01:37:18) Last piece of advice - breath through the experience and recognize how each experience is a square of a mosaic that informs every other experience 

Links:

Website: https://enaandhoward.com/

Contact Form: https://enaandhoward.com/contact/

Music links: https://enaandhoward.com/music/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnaandHoward

Facebook: facebook.com/enaandhoward

Instagram: instagram.com/enaandhoward

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: ht<

In this episode, I talk with Mariya Punay.

Mariya is working towards becoming a licensed psychotherapist in California. In our conversation, Mariya speaks to the meticulous process of working on becoming licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and the many challenges she's faced throughout the process.

She also speaks to the essential need for BIPOC representation in mainstream therapy and mental health treatment to create more accessible treatments for everyone.

Mariya shares how psychedelics found her and guided her to do therapeutic work. We talk about what transpersonal psychology is, how she landed at Sofia University studying for her PhD and how she brings together the mind, body, and spirit in her practice of Associative Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT).

Finally, Mariya reflects on what her future of practicing Transpersonal therapy looks while serving her community and provides some much-needed advice on loving ourselves and others and reconnecting with nature.

Time Stamps:

(05:31) Valuable organizations to Mariya’s experience - Process Therapy Institute, her company One Brilliance

(07:44) An overview of becoming licensed through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to practice psychotherapy legally in California 

(25:10) The essential need for BIPOC representation in the therapy community and how her identity coming from a military family and animistic cultural background influences her therapeutic practices

(46:58) How psychedelics found Mariya and guided her from studying geography to psychotherapy and pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology (concentration in AMFT) and then a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University

(1:07:08) What is Transpersonal Psychology and how Mariya sees it coming together with counseling and therapy

(1:24:57) Mariya’s future in psychedelic therapy - serving her God children and her community

(1:31:43) Mariya’s final advice - “you have to keep it going, keep it flowing”

Links:

Crown and Chakra Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/613FdzlTX7ytd8Rl4M2mSO?si=3f8f8b2bee674ed0

Sofia University PhD Transpersonal Psychology: https://www.sofia.edu/courses/phd-in-transpersonal-psychology/

Website and Socials: https://linktr.ee/themariyakatrinabeing

Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/mariyakatrina

Email: [email protected]

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

In this episode, I talk with Gina Giorgio.

Gina wears many hats within the psychedelic space as founder of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, the Director of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Mentorship Pipeline, a Communications and Policy Specialist for NisonCo, a contributing writer for Psychedelic Spotlight, and the Founder and CEO of the Mushroom Lifestyle brand Smush.

Our conversation covers topics like finding the balance between working in the psychedelic space and graduate school and how Gina started her own company by tapping into academic networks and resources.

Gina also shares her journey from studying Psychology at High Point University to diving into her psychedelic interests with Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia.

We also discuss the ins and outs of policy related to psychedelics and cannabis, looking at what makes them similar yet unique.

Throughout our conversation, Gina offers gems of advice for anyone interested in policy or communications work in the field.

Finally, Gina reflects on her role in the psychedelic field and her interests in public education, policy development, and building her company, Smush.

Time Stamps:

(05:10) An overview of each of the companies Gina is involved with and her role at each of them (Students for Sensible Drug Policy, NisonCo, Psychedelic Spotlight, the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition)

(10:52) How being a part of each organization has helped her reach her goal of working in the psychedelic field

(16:05) Finding balance working in the psychedelic field and being a graduate student

(21:10) The adventure of starting her own company, Smush and tapping into university resources

(32:07) SSDP’s Psychedelic Mentorship Pipeline

(38:32) Fostering Gina’s psychedelic interests from Hamilton’s Pharmacopeia and the intricacies of psychedelic interests while in college

(54:15) Cannabis work with NisonCo and similarities and differences with psychedelic policy development

(1:07:58) Contemplating Gina’s future academic routes and the value and challenges of getting a PhD

(1:16:59) Final advice - mentorship

(1:20:34) Gina’s hopes for the future in public education and communication and building Smush

Links:

SSDP Mentorship Pipeline: https://ssdp.org/our-work/psychedelic-pipeline/

Curious to Serious with Vilmarie Fraguada Narloch: Spotify, Apple, Google

North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition: https://healingpolicy.org/

Gina’s Work at Psychedelic Spotlight:

Rest and Restore: A Journey Into the Legal Entheogenic Ceremony Space in the U.S.: https://psychedelicspotlight.com/rest-and-restore-a-journey-into-the-legal-entheogenic-ceremony-space-in-the-u-s/

5 Psychedelia Books Our Staff Loves: https://psychedelicspotlight.com/best-psychedelic-books-our-staff-loves/

Smush: https://www.sm<

In this episode, I talk with Sapha.

He is a practicing Cuarandero and a Recovery Consultant at Sacred Rebels Recovery, a peer-led addiction recovery program for men housed at the Nihue Rao Spiritual Center in the Peruvian Amazon.

In our conversation, Sapha highlights the uniqueness of Sacred Rebels in providing alternative recovery options for people who feel unsupported by standard recovery programs.

We also discuss the importance of learning about plant medicine practices from indigenous practitioners and addiction recovery from those who experience it.

Sapha takes us on a journey, telling us how he went from working in Canada's oil and gas industry and living with addiction to how an LSD experience drastically changed his life perspective, influencing him to seek treatment and eventually find his way to psychedelics. 

He also spent two years studying Social Work at Vancouver Island University while organizing harm reduction efforts before moving to the Amazon to train as a traditional curandero in the Shipibo tradition under his teacher Maestro Ricardo Amaringo. Sapha highlights the value of formal university education and lived experience with addiction, recovery, and traditional training in his work.

Finally, we finish our discussion with a look data Sapha’s concerns and vision for the future of the psychedelic field, including making psychedelic treatment ethical, affordable, and accessible.

Time Stamps:

(5:06) Sacred Rebels - a peer-led addiction recovery program for men in the Amazon teaching about ayahuasca in the Shipibo tradition

(12:51) Sacred Rebels success rate so far

(25:11) Where does the Sacred Rebels name come from and the importance of paying respect to indigenous cultures and practices in plant medicine and psychedelics

(35:37) How Sacred Rebels is working to make the recovery program accessible to people who might not otherwise have access to it

(40:07) The partnership between Sacred Rebels and Nihue Rao - a community-based relationship of reciprocity

(49:54) How others can become involved in Sacred Rebels, people in recovery, or other indigenous healing and practices

(58:09) Sapha’s journey from addiction to recovery and the value of obtaining knowledge through lived experience

(1:26:00) Studying Social Work at Vancouver Island University - going back to school, exploring psychedelic topics in the classroom, and supportive mentors

(1:37:41) The future of the psychedelic field and psychedelic addiction treatment - striving for ethics, affordability, and accessibility

(1:44:06) Final advice - seek community and mentorship in the space you want to work in

(1:48:07) Contact information

Links:

Sacred Rebels: https://sacredrebelsrecovery.com/

Nihue Rao: https://nihuerao.com/

Email: [email protected]

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @sacredrebelsrecovery

Third Wave Psychedelic Retreats Directory: https://thethirdwave.co/directory/

Sacred Rebels, Iquitos, Peru, opens doors to men in recovery: https://www.growopportunity.ca/sacred-rebels-iquitos-peru-opens-doors-to-men-in-recovery/

Why Connecting to the Earth May Be a Vital Part of Psychedelic Healing: 

This episode is the second in our occasional “About Us” series, where we feature members of the Psychedelic Grad team.

In this episode, Gabby sits down with Andrew Mcmillian, the Community Meetings Organizer at Psychedelic Grad.

We talk about Andrew’s experiences in research labs at the University of South Florida (USF) while earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  

We reflect on some lessons he learned from transcribing interviews and handing out flyers for Gabby’s (Psychedelic Grad co-founder and Curious to Serious co-host) dissertation research.

Finally, we discuss Andrew’s future in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and his interest in working with indigenous populations in Alaska.

Time Stamps:

(2:40) Andrew’s role at the Community Meetings Organizer at Psychedelic Grad

(3:35) Research experiences at USF 

(9:55) Working towards a career in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

(16:14) Additional training as an EMT to bridge the time between his undergraduate degree and graduate degrees

(21:24) Last thoughts for listeners: Look into studying psychedelics in Alaska with Andrew

(22:08) Contact information

Links:

Crisis Center of Tampa Bay EMT Apprenticeship Program: https://www.crisiscenter.com/transcare-uma/

Insta: mac_millan

Email: [email protected]

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

In this episode, I talk with Hadas Alterman.

She is the Director of Government Affairs at the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA), which is working to build accessibility in clinical psychedelic therapy by establishing standards for training therapists to do this work.

In our conversations, we talk about Hadas’ work with the Psychedelic Bar Association, which links communities with stakeholders like lawyers and policymakers related to psychedelics, and her role in co-founding the Plant Medicine Law Group.

We discuss Hadas’ academic and educational journey from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to the University of California Santa Cruz and how her life experiences, including being arrested during a protest, influenced her to study law.

Hadas demonstrates the value of formal education along with life experience in gaining skills and knowledge.

She also offers exceptional advice throughout our conversation on the value of a solid and supportive community and being your true authentic self.

Finally, Hadas reflects on the future of the psychedelic field and her desire to serve others and hopes for advancing psychedelic therapies while reducing their criminality.

Time Stamps:

(3:05) What is the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA)?

(15:13) What students would benefit from joining APPA, and what are the benefits of joining?

(21:08) Psychedelic Bar Association

(45:27) The Plan Medicine Law Group

(1:00:10) Advice: finding balance in life

(1:07:17) Advice: be your true authentic self

(1:14:12) Hadas’ educational journey started at UCLA and then she moved to UC Santa Cruz. At one point she gets arrested during a protest which influenced her to go to law school. This highlights the value of formal education and life experience

(1:35:52) Advice – the value of a support system in growth and development

(1:42:34) Advice – finding alignment between the body, mind, and spirit

(1:44:59) The future of psychedelics and Hadas’ role in it

(1:51: 44) Last piece of advice – find a supportive friend group

(1:54:24) Contact information

Links:

American Psychedelic Practitioners Association: https://www.thepsychedelicassociation.org

Psychedelic Bar Association: https://thepsychedelicbar.org

The Plant Medicine Law Group: https://www.plantmedicinelaw.com

Email: [email protected]

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

This episode is the first in our occasional “About Us” series, where we feature members of the Psychedelic Grad team.

In this episode, Emma talks with me, Gabby Lehigh, Psychedelic Grad Co-founder and Curious to Serious co-host.

We talk about my recent achievement of successfully defending my doctoral dissertation and getting my Ph.D. in Anthropology.

We explore how I came to study psychedelics for my dissertation research and why I chose transformative psychedelic experiences at music events. 

We discuss how my positionality played a role in my data collection and analysis and some of the challenges in doing social science research at music festivals.

I also present a timeline of what the research process looked like for me and how I prepared for my defense. 

Finally, I briefly cover two of the most exciting research findings.

Time Stamps:

(4:18) How Gabby come to study transformative psychedelic experiences at music events for her dissertation research

(12:22) The challenges of interviewing participants at music festivals

(18:00) The most challenging part of data collection

(19:48) How positionality impacted the data and analysis

(24:04) How were the defense questions from the committee informed or not informed by psychedelic experiences

(28:24) Ph.D. timeline

(31:02) Preparing for the defense

(37:18) Summary of two of the main research findings

Links:

Email: [email protected]

Psychedelics Today’s Vital Course: https://www.psychedeliceducationcenter.com/a/aff_9p71gl26/external?affcode=80460_0s5vb-xp

To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/

To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygrad

Music by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/

Presented by Psychedelic Grad.