In this episode of Beauty and the Break, Foster and Cesar explore psychedelics (in particular psilocybin mushrooms) as tools for healing, consciousness, and perspective shifts, weaving together personal stories, neuroscience, ancient spiritual texts, and modern research. Through storytelling and reflection, they discuss ego death, non-duality, mindfulness, meditation, and the science of psychedelics, revealing how these experiences can expand compassion, soften fear, and help us break through our own barriers. This episode offers an honest, nuanced look at psychedelics, not as an escape, but as a doorway into presence, meaning, and embodied understanding.

In this episode they explore: 

• The first mushroom experience that changed everything
• Ego death and why it softens fear
• Psychedelics and the brain: what science actually shows
• Mushrooms vs meditation: the “leaf blower” metaphor
• Seeing the world like a child again
• ADHD, overwhelm, and embodied knowing

Also mentioned: 

• Cesar’s online meditation class at DEN Meditation
• Cesar’s Growth Mindfulness meditation practice
• Beauty in the Break episode What is Healthy Screen Time? (dopamine/serotonin)
• Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research
• Psychedelics vs. Placebo brain map image

You can also watch the episodes on YouTube.

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Cesar Cardona:

• Receive his newsletter Insights That Matter
• Get guided meditation from Cesar on his website 
• Listen to music from Cesar + The Clew on Apple Music and Spotify

Foster Wilson:

• Buy her poetry book Afternoon Abundance
• Learn about her postpartum services
• Receive her newsletter Foster’s Village

Created & Hosted by: Cesar Cardona and Foster Wilson

Executive Producer: Glenn Milley

This episode is brought to you by Arlene Thornton & Associates

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