In this powerful episode of Divergent States, we’re joined by Valerie Beltran and Chelsea Rose-Pires of the Zendo Project- an organization redefining harm reduction and compassionate care at festivals, events, and beyond.

We explore how the Zendo Project began as a MAPS initiative and evolved into its own nonprofit dedicated to supporting people through difficult psychedelic experiences and emotional crises, not with judgment or clinical detachment, but with radical empathy and peer support.

From creating safe spaces at Burning Man to launching training programs for crisis responders, Valerie and Chelsea offer insight into how the Zendo Project is transforming both event culture and the broader conversation around mental health, community care, and psychedelics.

Whether you’ve had a challenging trip, want to support others through non-ordinary states, or are just curious about what real-world harm reduction looks like, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🧘‍♀️ Learn how just being present can change lives.
🧠 Discover why “sitting, not guiding” is a revolutionary principle.
💬 And find out how you can get involved, support their mission, or even join them in the field.

✨ “You don’t have to be altered to walk into the Zendo. You just have to be human.” – Valerie Beltran

🔗 Learn more or get involved: zendoproject.org
💚 Donate. Volunteer. Sit with someone. It matters.

Forgot to mention on the episode, but big thanks to Future Boogz for letting us feature their track on this episode! Ach for the art, Brad for the help, and all of the Patreon Supporters! 

All content in Ask Me Anything sessions are for educational purposes only. Zendo Project does not provide any legal, medical or mental health advice. Consult with a lawyer, doctor, or mental health therapist before making any significant decisions for your own situation. Any references to third party websites or service providers are made without any warranties, express or implied. All participants should conduct their own due diligence on any third party websites or professionals before engaging in any conduct. Zendo Project does not encourage or facilitate any illegal conduct.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Zendo Project and Festival Collaboration
04:06 Understanding the Zendo Project's Mission and History
10:27 The Role of Outreach and Community Support
14:46 Experiencing a Zendo Session: What to Expect
17:56 Collaboration with Medical Services and Event Producers
21:11 Challenges in Harm Reduction Awareness
23:57 Exciting New Partnerships and Initiatives
27:39 Success Stories and Impact of the Zendo Project
32:10 The Impact of Zendo Project
34:06 Getting Involved: Training and Community
36:13 Education and Outreach in Psychedelic Spaces
39:06 Navigating Adverse Experiences
42:45 Challenges in Providing Services
44:01 Future Vision and Growth of Zendo Project
48:10 Inclusivity and Accessibility in Support Services
52:08 Integration After Experiences
54:57 How to Support Zendo Project

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Special Thanks to our Macrodosers and Heroic Dosers on Patreon, Super D and Lucy!

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In this episode of Divergent States, we talk with Dylalien: psychedelic DJ, producer, schoolteacher, and longtime organizer of Goa Gil’s legendary all-night, open-air ritual dance parties. You’ve heard his music on this podcast, but in this conversation, we go deep on what it means to create and participate in psychedelic music culture at its most raw, weird, and transformative.

Together, we explore:

• The life and legacy of Goa Gil, trance music’s spiritual godfather
• The influence of Hindu mysticism and Shiva archetypes in psychedelic culture
• The cosmic giggle: what happens when you dance all night and see the joke behind the universe
• DJing while tripping, playing to the sunrise, and accessing “wizard vision”
• How sound, sync, and group dance create stacked synchronicities
• Why trance is a tool, music is a medicine, and exhaustion is a drug
• The evolution of the underground, from vinyl and anonymity to phones and algorithms
• Being a high school teacher with a secret psychedelic life (“Did you just say that out loud?”)
• Pranksters, dosed swimming pools, and the chaos magic of the California scene
• How a late-in-life awakening led him to start releasing music, after decades in the shadows

We also talk about how psychedelic states can permanently shift your view of reality—how even sobriety feels different once you've danced with the universe. Dylalien reflects on how psychedelics pushed him to go vegan, redefined his ideas about spirituality, and reminded him again and again: “I don’t know anything. And that’s OK.”

This episode blends stories, insight, laughter, and nostalgia with the kind of wisdom that only comes from living decades in a counterculture groove. Whether you’re a musician, a tripper, a Deadhead, or just someone who’s felt the beat pull them into something bigger—you’ll feel at home here.

🎧 Music by Dylalien
🔗 Learn more about Goa Gil’s legacy and psychedelic trance culture
🧠 Support the show: patreon.com/divergentstates
🎤 Want to be on the podcast? Hit us up on Reddit, Instagram, or TikTok.

#Psytrance #GoaGil #PsychedelicMusic #CosmicGiggle #Psychedelics #Deadhead #DivergentStates #Pranksters #TerrenceMcKenna #DJCulture #TranceDance #PsychedelicExperience

Big thank you Bryan, Dylalien, Flintwick, Ach, and Brad of Integration Communications!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DylAlien and Goa Gil
02:46 The Impact of Goa Gil on Electronic Music
05:58 The Cosmic Giggle and Psychedelic Experiences
08:58 The Evolution of Music and Technology
11:58 The Role of Music in Trance and Connection
15:45 The Changing Landscape of Music Festivals
18:03 Teaching and Navigating Youth Culture
21:05 The Joy of Musical Collaboration
24:05 The Therapeutic Power of Music and Psychedelics
27:59 Exploring the Power of Music and Drumming
34:19 The Journey into Music and Creativity
37:24 Psychedelics and Reality: A New Perspective
49:57 Microdosing: A Therapeutic Alternative
52:55 Building a Community Through Psychedelics

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Special Thanks to our Macrodosers and Heroic Dosers on Patreon, Super D and Lucy!

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In this profound episode of Divergent States, we welcome Wendy Tucker, daughter of Ann Shulgin and stepdaughter of the legendary Sasha Shulgin, the "Godfather of Ecstasy." Wendy shares intimate stories of growing up at the iconic Shulgin Farm, working alongside Sasha in his lab, and her mission to preserve their legacy through the Shulgin Foundation.

Key Topics Covered:

• Sasha’s Lab & Humble Genius: Wendy recounts behind-the-scenes moments with Sasha, his playful humor, and the creation of 200+ psychedelic compounds.
• The Farm’s Future: Why the Shulgin property is being preserved as a living community space—not a museum—with plans for workshops, events, and even weddings.
• MDMA’s Therapeutic Roots: How Leo Zeff and Ann Shulgin pioneered underground therapy, and why veterans are now leading the charge for healing.
• Transform Press: Updates on Sasha’s lecture series, The Nature of Drugs, and other rare archival projects.
• How to Get Involved: Supporting the foundation’s mission to protect psychedelic history and foster education.

Perfect for: Psychonauts, historians, therapy advocates, and anyone curious about the intersection of science, culture, and cognitive liberty.

Links & Resources:

• Donate or learn more: shulginfoundation.org
• Follow Divergent States for more deep dives: [Instagram/YouTube] @DivergentStates]

Subscribe now to explore the minds and movements shaping psychedelics today!

Thank you to all the Guests, Patreon supporters, music submissions, and all the wonderful people that come together to make this thing happen! We couldn't be doing this without YOU!

Big thank you Bryan, Dylalien, Flintwick, Ach, and Brad of Integration Communications!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Shulgin Legacy
03:00 Wendy Tucker's Journey and the Shulgin Foundation
06:04 The Importance of the Shulgin Farm
08:55 Community Engagement and Events
11:50 Women and Psychedelics: The Deva Collective
15:00 Personal Reflections and Lessons from the Shulgins
17:53 MDMA Therapy and Veterans' Healing
21:01 Education and Stigma in Psychedelic Use
24:01 Supporting the Shulgin Foundation
26:58 Future Initiatives and Community Building
29:49 Transform Press and Preserving Knowledge
33:03 Balancing Legacy and Modern Research
35:46 Conclusion and Future Outlook

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In this episode of Divergent States, we sit down with Rick Doblin, founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), for a raw, unscripted conversation on the future of psychedelic therapy, the dangers of hype, and the deeply personal reasons behind his decades-long mission.

We go deep into:

• Why MDMA was criminalized and how Doblin outmaneuvered the DEA
• The hard lessons from MAPS' FDA rejection and what's next
• Parenting and psychedelics: how both Rick and 3L1T3 approach education with their kids
• The trauma epidemic—why it’s bigger than war, abuse, or addiction
• How psychedelics could help shift collective consciousness in an age of collapse
• Burning Man, the Zendo Project, and building a new kind of community

Doblin shares stories of his first psychedelic trips, his rebellious roots, and his vision for a future where safe, supported altered states are a human right, not a privilege. This isn’t just policy talk, it’s soul talk.

👉 If you’re neurodivergent, psychedelic-curious, or just fed up with the way things are—this one’s for you.

🧠 Support the show: patreon.com/divergentstates
🎟️ Learn more about Psychedelic Science 2025: maps.org
🔬 Psychedelic Science 25 at https://www.psychedelicscience.org

Thank you to our Visionary Collaborators on Patreon!  
Thank you to Flintwick for the music! 

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Divergent States and MAPS
02:47 Rick Doblin's Journey and the Founding of MAPS
10:03 The Messianic Idea and Psychedelics
18:54 Psychedelics as Tools for Healing
19:00 Educating the Next Generation about Psychedelics
25:00 The Role of Psychedelics in Addressing Global Trauma
30:09 Psychedelics and the Future of Humanity
33:31 Revitalizing Spirituality and Cultural Contexts
34:45 Psychedelics and Responsible Use
36:11 Modern Rites of Passage through Music
37:57 Harm Reduction and Support at Festivals
39:19 Psychedelic Science 2025 Conference
41:35 Community and Collaboration in Psychedelic Research
43:42 Reflections on Policy and Progress
45:42 Navigating Politics and Science
49:35 Globalizing Access to Psychedelic Therapies
52:42 The Importance of Divergent Perspectives

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Special Thanks to our Macrodosers and Heroic Dosers on Patreon, Super D and Lucy!

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In this episode of Divergent States, we talk with Joshua White, founder and executive director of the Fireside Project, a nonprofit creating a revolutionary model of psychedelic support through free, real-time emotional care and integration coaching.

What happens when someone takes too much LSD and needs someone to talk to—right now? What if someone is trying to process an ayahuasca ceremony months later, but feels disconnected or judged in traditional therapy settings? Fireside Project offers a lifeline—through voice, text, and now coaching—for people navigating the psychological highs, lows, and revelations that come with non-ordinary states.

Topics we explore:

• Joshua’s journey from attorney to psychedelic peer support pioneer
• The fusion of festival harm reduction (Zendo Project) and therapeutic models
• The challenges and beauty of being vulnerable on psychedelics
• Why peer support is not about fixing the trip—but honoring it
• Fireside’s efforts to center marginalized voices and create culturally attuned care
• The importance of long-term integration, not just “bad trip” triage
• The launch of Fireside’s certified coaching program: preparation, integration, and affordable access to trained support
• Training 600+ volunteers and building a new generation of psychedelic-informed supporters
• The hard truth about fundraising and outreach in the psychedelic nonprofit space
• How to get involved, support, or train with Fireside

We also discuss the deeper existential questions around psychedelics: Why do humans have the capacity for these experiences in the first place? What does it mean to embrace anxiety, rather than suppress it? And how do we build a post-prohibition world rooted in compassion, not commercialization?

Whether you’re preparing for your first journey, working through a past one, or just curious about what a post-psychedelic-care model could look like, this conversation offers a grounded, humble, and hopeful roadmap.

🔗 Learn more or volunteer: firesideproject.org
📱 Download the Fireside app (iOS & Android): Just two buttons—Call or Text.
💬 Support the show: patreon.com/divergentstates
🎧 Music by Flintwick

00:12 – Intro & Fireside Project Overview
02:33 – Joshua’s Journey: From Law to Psychedelics
08:37 – The Four Problems in the Psychedelic Field
12:12 – What a Fireside Support Call Is Like
14:08 – Anxiety, Acceptance, and “The Obstacle Is the Path”
17:32 – Who’s on the Other End of the Line?
20:45 – Volunteer Training & Community Structure
22:46 – Fireside’s Harm Reduction Impact
24:56 – Culturally Attuned Support & Identity-Based Care
26:56 – Fireside’s Biggest Challenge: Fundraising
31:04 – The Fireside Coaching Program Explained
32:45 – First-Time Users & Psychedelic Prep
35:17 – The Fireside App for Trippers
38:01 – Final Thoughts, Get Involved

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Special Thanks to our Macrodosers and Heroic Dosers on Patreon, Super D and Lucy!

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In this holiday episode of Divergent States, Hamilton Morris joins us for a raw and timely conversation on the unexpected role Reddit, Erowid, and online trip reports are now playing in DEA hearings. What happens when harm-reduction posts and half-baked comment threads are used as legal evidence to criminalize psychedelics?

We dig into the ethical tightrope between transparency and safety, the flawed logic of prohibition, and why silence isn’t a sustainable strategy. Hamilton breaks down his firsthand experience attending the DOI scheduling hearing, his efforts to build a scientifically vetted user-report journal, and how communities like r/Psychonaut are caught in the crosshairs of policy and paranoia.

Whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or just exploring the space, this episode cuts through the hype and hysteria to ask the real questions: How do we speak honestly about altered states in a world that punishes honesty?

Topics include:
• The DEA’s use of Reddit as courtroom “evidence”
• Why trip reports matter and how they’re being misused
• The dangers of pharmacological elitism and spiritual gatekeeping
• The real meaning of harm reduction in an outlaw culture
• The future of psychedelic research, regulation, and responsibility

🎶 Featuring music by Flintwick | Support us on Patreon for exclusive episodes & bonus content.
 💬 Reddit: r/Psychonaut | IG: @divergentstates | #SetSettingGuide

 Chapters 

00:00 Introduction and Context of the Episode 
02:50 The Importance of Transparency in Psychedelic Discussions 
06:04 Balancing Honesty and Safety in Sharing Experiences 
10:33 Community Responsibility and the Impact of Online Discourse 
15:54 The Role of Advocacy and Legal Support in Drug Policy Reform 
20:08 Navigating the Challenges of Scientific Research and Public Perception
 24:08 The Importance of Evidence in Psychedelic Communities 
29:20 Navigating the Wild West of Online Drug Discussions 
31:06 Spirituality vs. Scientific Analysis in Psychedelics 
34:00 The Dangers of Pharmacological Elitism 
37:04 Addressing the Fentanyl Crisis: A Call for Rational Drug Policy 
44:06 The Future of Psychedelic Therapy and Accessibility 
48:28 Integrating Cannabis into Society 
50:13 Destigmatization and Education on Psychedelics 
52:39 The Hype and Risks of Psychedelics 
56:43 Understanding Challenging Experiences with Psychedelics 
01:01:45 Cumulative Impact of Substance Use 
01:07:34 Bringing Psychedelics into the Open 

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What happens when psychedelic research, spiritual inquiry, and neurodivergence converge? In this premiere episode of Divergent States, we sit down with Dr. Rick Strassman, the groundbreaking researcher behind DMT: The Spirit Molecule, to explore the boundaries of consciousness, therapy, and identity.

Host 3L1T3, an autistic psychonaut and longtime community curator, shares his personal journey through psychedelics, the inner wiring of a neurodivergent mind, and why the search for meaning matters. Together with co-host Bryan, the conversation takes unexpected turns: from early DMT studies and pineal gland theories, to the dangers of spiritual bypassing, to the ways autism can shape (and sharpen) visionary experience.

🧠 Topics Include:

• The hidden cost of spiritual highs
• Why Strassman stepped away from psychedelics
• Autistic pattern recognition and altered states
• DMT beings: projection or perception?
• How mainstream psychology misunderstands the trip

Whether you're deep into the psychedelic space or just starting to question consensus reality — this one's for the explorers. Get ready to think differently.

We talk about upcoming guests, give some acknowledgements and shout-outs, and we talk a little about the interview. The music comes from Dyalien on reddit.



Music by Dylalien

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Announcement episode of the podcast! 


Hey everyone! We're excited to announce Divergent States: The Unofficial Psychonaut Podcast. We're going to be exploring the intersections of psychedelics, mental health, spirituality, culture and science!

We're lining up interviews with upcoming guests like Rick Strassman, Rick Doblin, Wendy Tucker, and many more. We're also setting up Ask Me Anything sessions on the subreddit to release along with our interviews of the guests. The plan now is to release bi-monthly episodes, one guest episode and one stand-alone episode. 

Listen, follow, share. It will help us continue to bring guests to the show and make this podcast a success!

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