In this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Victoria Webster, founder of Golden Afternoon, a stunning ketamine clinic in Los Angeles—and someone with one of the most powerful personal journeys I’ve ever heard.

From being a 19-year-old in inpatient rehab prescribed a cocktail of eight medications (including anti-psychotics)… to walking away from it all and finding her way through amino acids, meditation, and eventually ketamine—Victoria shares her story with unflinching honesty and compassion.

💡 This episode is especially for you if:

• You're curious what ketamine feels like
• You’ve ever felt like psychiatric meds didn’t work for you
• You’ve been afraid to try ketamine because of past bad trips or fear of losing control
• You want to understand how to prepare for ketamine in a way that makes your nervous system feel safe

We also talk about:

• What the “guardian of the mind” is and why it matters in ketamine work
• How ketamine can actually help people get off meds safely (with prescriber support)
• The subtle but massive impact of setting, music, and emotional safety
• Her exact journey from skepticism to opening her own clinic
• And the pink molecule experience that changed her forever 💗

🌿 Victoria is a mother of three, a former sitcom writer, and a somatic therapist who now runs a clinic where people come not just to feel better—but to feel transformed. And her insights? Truly medicine.

🔗 Links + Resources:

• 🌿 Golden Afternoon Clinic – Los Angeles, CA:
  www.goldenafternoon.clinic
• 📩 Connect with Victoria: [email protected]
• 🏥 Want help choosing a ketamine clinic?
  Listen to 
• Episdoe 36 l How to Choose a Ketamine Clinic: Questions to Ask Before You Book
• 
   → And grab the free guide to vet your options:
   Download the Ketamine Clinic Vetting Guide
• 🎧 LOVING THIS PODCAST?
  Ready to have a ketamine journey that actually works?
  I created the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP) for people just like you—the curious, the cautious, the ones who’ve tried “everything else” and are finally ready for something real.
  ✨ Learn more or enroll here → https://www.annakrishtal.com/kpp

Have you ever been told you’re too sensitive, too emotional, or just too much? In this powerful episode of Ketamine Connections, I sit down with Kristen Ott, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and founder of White Light Wellness, to explore how she turned that “too much” wound into a source of wisdom—and how her first ketamine journey helped rewire her relationship to it.

This conversation goes way beyond ketamine. We dive deep into the work that surrounds the journey: the repatterning of the subconscious mind, the intelligence of emotions, and what integration actually looks like in real life.

We talk about:

• Reclaiming emotional sensitivity as a gift, not a curse
• How Kristen’s first ketamine session opened the door to deeper integration
• The truth about self-sabotage: it’s not failure, it’s protection
• Why digital breaks, praying naked, and washing your hands with intention are all valid forms of integration
• How to loosen the grip of perfectionism and find healing in small, daily “touch points”
• The “witch wound” and what it really means to reclaim your power

If you’re carrying stories of being “too much” or “not enough,” this episode is an invitation to soften, to trust yourself, and to meet your healing with curiosity and compassion.

🎧 Tune in and discover how integration isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing things differently.

👤 About Kristen Ott, MA, LMFT

Kristen Ott is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, the founder of White Light Wellness, LLC, and a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapist at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry. She specializes in trauma healing through a systemic, strength-based approach that blends somatic awareness with experiential practices. With 15 years of experience in clinical settings, Kristen’s work bridges psychotherapy, psychedelic integration, and group healing experiences.

She offers individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as Equine-Assisted Therapy, group integration circles, and Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) sessions—both 1:1 and in groups.

🔗 Website: whitelightwellnessllc.org
📍 Based in Devon, PA
📲 Social: linktr.ee/whitelightwellnes

🛠️ Special Offers from Kristen

• Free 15-min consultation for Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
• Free trial for online Collective Healing Groups
• Discounted $175 coaching session on self-guided integration
• 10% off Ketamine Protocol at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry

🌿 Want to Feel Ready for Your Ketamine Journey?

Whether you’re preparing for your first session or looking for ways to better integrate what’s already come up—the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP) is here to support you. This 3-step process helps you feel grounded, clear, and confident so that your journey isn’t left up to chance.

If this episode resonated with you, and you're ready to prepare your mind, body, and subconscious for deep transformation, learn more and join us at:

 👉 JOIN the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP)

🌱 Mentioned in This Episode:
– Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP)
– The “Too Much” Wound
– IFS (Internal Family Systems)
– The subconscious mind + daily rituals
– The witch wound and intuitive reclamation

What happens when your ketamine provider has walked the same healing path you’re on? In this warm and eye-opening episode of Ketamine Connections, Anna speaks with Dr. Evan Husted—an emergency physician turned ketamine practitioner who combines deep clinical experience with personal insight into the psychedelic healing process.

They explore how lived experience shapes provider care, why preparation and integration are just as vital as the ketamine itself, and how anxiety and control often intersect in psychedelic journeys. From differentiating dosing styles to building therapeutic support beyond the medicine, this episode is rich with grounded wisdom and practical encouragement.

If you’ve ever wondered what real support in the ketamine space can look like—or what healing with integrity feels like—you’ll want to listen in.

🎧 Listen if you’re curious about:

• How anxiety and control show up in ketamine work
• Why more providers are choosing to experience the medicine firsthand
• The difference between psycholytic vs. psychedelic dosing
• Building a strong support system around your journey
• The importance of preparation, integration, and rest
• How the pandemic catalyzed a new era in mental health care
• What it looks like when a provider is truly walking the talk

👨‍⚕️ About Dr. Evan Husted:
Dr. Evan Husted, M.D., MPH, is a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician and the founder of Mindstream Medicine in Philadelphia—a private practice providing psychedelic-assisted therapy through ketamine infusion and injection. With a BA in Psychology focused on Neuropharmacology, an MD from George Washington University, and an MPH from Jefferson College of Population Health, Dr. Husted brings both academic rigor and personal experience to his work. After years in emergency and urgent care, he now focuses on helping others find relief from anxiety and depression with the support of psychedelic medicine and intentional care.

📍Resources & Links:

• 💻 Visit: https://mindstreammedicine.com
• 📨 Subscribe to Evan’s newsletter: Join Here
• 🌿 Ready to prepare for your own ketamine experience? Check out the Ketamine Preparation Protocol
• 📄 How to Choose a Ketamine Clinic FREE Guide: Download Now

Think preparation just means not eating before your ketamine appointment? Think again.

In this episode of Ketamine Connections, Anna breaks down 3 of the most common (and costly) mistakes people make when preparing for ketamine therapy—and how to avoid them. If you're looking for deeper transformation, stronger integration, and real results from your ketamine experience, this is the must-listen prep guide you didn't know you needed.

You'll learn:

• Why a vague intention like “I just want to feel better” sets you up for a fuzzy journey
• The ideal ketamine preparation window (and why it starts earlier than you think)
• How going it alone actually slows your healing—and what to do instead
• A behind-the-scenes look at the Ketamine Preparation Protocol and how it supports real transformation

Whether your first session is days away or you’re already a few journeys in, this episode gives you actionable tools to prepare your mind, body, and subconscious for deep, lasting change.

What You'll Learn

🔹 The difference between wishful thinking and a subconscious-anchored intention
 🔹 Why preparation is not just logistical—it’s emotional, energetic, and spiritual
🔹 How ketamine activates neuroplasticity and why that matters for integration
🔹 The role of community and why solo prep may be holding you back
🔹 Real client stories of how post-facto preparation shifted their whole ketamine journey

Links + Resources

✨ Ready to prep the right way? Join the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP)

If you’ve ever wondered whether ketamine therapy really works—or how to find a reputable clinic—this episode is your guide. Anna sits down with Sam Mandel, co-founder and CEO of Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles, one of the first IV ketamine clinics in the world. With over 35,000 infusions under their belt and an 83% treatment success rate, Sam shares the lessons he’s learned about healing, compassionate care, and what actually makes ketamine treatment effective.

Sam has been featured in Entrepreneur as one of the Top 10 Inspiring Healthcare Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2023, earned two 2024 Stevie Awards for Best Entrepreneur and Thought Leader, and continues to raise the bar in psychedelic-assisted mental health care.

We get into:

• The real reason some clinics get better results (hint: it's not just the ketamine)
• The gold standard of ketamine administration (and why IV might be worth traveling for)
• How Big Pharma’s involvement changed the conversation around ketamine
• What people still get wrong about ketamine therapy
• The truth about dosage, neuroplasticity, and personalized protocols
• Why kindness, care, and clinic culture matter more than you think
• A few fun tangents involving monkeys and the "stoned ape theory" 🐒

This is an honest, behind-the-scenes look at how ketamine treatment has evolved—and where it's going next. Whether you're preparing for your first infusion or exploring integration, you’ll walk away with powerful insights.

🧠 Resources & Mentions:

• Ketamine Clinics of Los Angeles
• Ketamine Infusion Therapy
• Episode 5: How Can I Take Ketamine? (IV, IM, lozenges, nasal, etc.)
• Sam Mandel on Entrepreneur and MSN
• Stoned Ape Theory
• 100th Monkey Theory

🎁 Special Offer from Sam: Mention Ketamine Connections to receive a free consultation + $400 off a series of ketamine infusions at Ketamine Clinics LA.

✨ Want to make the most of your ketamine journey?
The Ketamine Preparation Protocol is now available as a self-paced course—and we’re hosting a LIVE group call on May 22 to support you in integrating the material, asking questions, and connecting with others on the path.

🎁 When you enroll before May 22, you’ll get immediate access to the full course + a special invite to the call.
 👉 www.annakrishtal.com/kpp

Keywords:
ketamine therapy, ketamine clinics, IV ketamine, ketamine for depression, ketamine for PTSD, ketamine infusion Los Angeles, Sam Mandel, Ketamine Clinics LA, psychedelic therapy, neuroplasticity, ketamine success rate, personalized ketamine protocol, ketamine preparation course, integration after ketamine

In this raw, heartfelt solo episode of Ketamine Connections, Anna shares a deeply personal reflection inspired by a recent peak experience—and how it ties into one of the most common (and nerve-wracking) questions she hears: What if ketamine is the best I'll ever feel?

We dive into:

• How peak experiences (on ketamine and in life) open new pathways in the brain
• Why integration is the real secret to lasting transformation
• Anna’s behind-the-scenes of attending a regional Burning Man and how it deepened her understanding of presence and embodiment
• The natural cycles of expansion and contraction—and what to do when the inevitable post-peak dip hits
• How subconscious reprogramming helps raise not just your ceiling but also your baseline

Plus, Anna opens up about her own growth edge and shares actionable wisdom to keep you grounded in your ketamine journey (or any personal healing work).

✨ Ready to prepare your mind and body for ketamine therapy?

 The Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP) is live! This self-paced course is designed for anyone who wants ketamine to actually work—whether you’re just starting your journey or already in treatment. Learn how to set yourself up for success, work with your subconscious mind, and avoid common pitfalls that can limit ketamine’s potential.

>> [Join the Ketamine Preparation Protocol here] <<

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Get on Anna’s newsletter for energetic updates and free resources: [link]
• Explore hypnosis audios + reprogramming tools: [link]
• Join the next Mental Hygiene Moments group hypnosis session: [link]
• Listen to Dr. Austin Harris on ketamine therapy [link to episode]
• Connect via email (best way to get a reply!): [link]

If you’ve ever wondered how to hold onto the breakthroughs ketamine offers—or feared the crash that can come after a peak—this is your episode. 💫

If you've ever wondered what astrology has to do with ketamine—or why your sun, moon, and rising might actually help you make sense of your healing journey—this episode is going to blow your cosmic socks off.

In this conversation, I sit down with futurist, intuitive channel, and founder of Golden Age AI, Danielle Mercurio, to explore how astrology can be used as a real integration tool—especially after ketamine therapy.

Yes, we talk about your chart. Yes, we talk about transits. Yes, we talk about Mercury retrograde. But more importantly—we talk about how astrology helps you know yourself, how the transits help you navigate change, and how cosmic weather is a perfect metaphor for integrating your inner transformations with the outer world.

Inside this episode:

• What your sun, moon, and rising signs really reveal about your healing process
• Why astrology can help you make sense of post-ketamine insights
• The difference between planetary fate vs. free will
• How to track transits (aka “cosmic weather”) for better self-awareness
• Why the next 20 years of astrology (Aquarian Age + Uranus in Gemini!) are HUGE for personal + collective change
• How to use astrology without bypassing the real work

About our guest:
Danielle Mercurio is an intuitive channel, futurist, and astrology educator who helps visionary leaders activate their next timeline. With a deep background in astrology, metaphysical studies, and energetic recalibration, Danielle blends ancient wisdom with modern tech through her company Golden Age AI and The Danielle Mercurio Show podcast.

🌐 Website: www.daniellemercurio.com
📸 Instagram: @daniellemercurio
🎁 Download her AI + astrology guide: AI Ally
✨ Book a reading with 10% off using code PODCAST10

🌟 Special Invitation:
If you’re preparing for your first ketamine journey and you’re craving a grounded, practical, and soul-aligned roadmap…

The Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP) is now LIVE.

This is your step-by-step guide to making ketamine therapy actually work—especially if you’re someone who overthinks, has anxiety, or just wants to be fully prepared before diving into the unknown.

🎧 Listen to this episode, then take the next step:
 👉 Join KPP here
Bonus self-hypnosis course available until Friday, May 3!

🎙️ Ketamine Connections is the only podcast dedicated specifically to ketamine. If this episode spoke to you, please share it with a friend, leave a review, reach out -we love hearing your takeaways!

Ever heard of a two-hour ketamine infusion—personally titrated in real-time by a board-certified anesthesiologist? Yeah, neither had I. Until now.

In this episode of Ketamine Connections, I sit down with Dr. Austin Harris, founder of NeuroRelief Ketamine & Infusion Therapy in Sherman Oaks, CA. With 17+ years of experience in anesthesiology and a revolutionary, heart-centered approach to ketamine, Dr. Harris is redefining what’s possible in psychedelic care.

 About Dr. Austin Harris
Dr. Harris is a board-certified cardiothoracic anesthesiologist with a background in psychology. After completing his fellowship at Keck Hospital of USC, he founded NeuroRelief Ketamine & Infusion Therapy, now serving clients worldwide. His work is deeply human and radically different—offering real-time titration during ketamine infusions, 7-day access to care, and a full integration strategy that prioritizes mindfulness, customized protocols, and conscious aftercare. In this episode, we explore:

• Why ketamine is not enough—and what actually makes change stick
• How ego disillusionment (not ego death!) is a safe, precise process
• The truth about neuroplasticity—and how to work with it, not waste it
• Why shorter ketamine infusions often miss the mark
• Dr. Harris’s sponsor-sponsee model that treats patients as equals
• Real talk about healing, modern anxiety, the subconscious mind, and how to rewire your emotional patterns

This is a jam-packed, paradigm-shifting episode that weaves neuroscience, mindfulness, and humanity into a powerful framework for change. Special thanks to Dr. Harris for sharing his personal and professional insights—and for inviting me to experience this protocol firsthand. (More on that in a future episode!)

KETAMINE PREPARATION PROTOCOL IS LIVE!

Ready to actually make ketamine work for you? Whether you're new to ketamine or looking for a better outcome, the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP) is now available. It’s everything I’ve taught my 1:1 clients—now in a self-paced format to help you prepare mentally, emotionally, physically, and subconsciously for your journey. Enroll now → https://www.yourketaminecoach.com/kpp

Bonus: Sign up before May 3 and receive a free course on Self-Hypnosis for Psychedelic Integration. 

Episode Links & Resources:

• NeuroRelief Ketamine & Infusion Therapy: https://neuroreliefketamine.com
• Chronic Pain Protocols: Link
• Substance Abuse & Alcohol Recovery: Link
• NAD+ Infusion Therapy: Link
• Ketamine Preparation Protocol: Link

 Connect with Dr. Harris & NeuroRelief: Instagram: @neuroreliefketamine_la Facebook: NeuroRelief Ketamine LinkedIn: Company Page LISTEN & LEARN:
If you're exploring ketamine for mental health, chronic pain, or recovery—this episode is your invitation to expect more, ask for better, and experience what's truly possible when medicine meets mindfulness.

In this episode, Your Ketamine Coach Anna Krishtal is joined by clinical psychologist, Air Force veteran, & ketamine educator Dr. Emily Bullock, Psy.D. We dive into what actually creates healing—especially when you’re sick & tired of being sick & tired.

Dr. Bullock shares how her clinical practice evolved to include ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), why integration is essential, & how clinicians can build ethical, effective, trauma-informed ketamine protocols. We explore the power of preparation, sensory priming, & what it really means to “remember to remember.”

What We Cover in This Episode:

• The myth of the “magic bullet” in mental health
• How somatic tools like yoga & breathwork amplify healing
• Dr. Bullock’s journey from CBT to psychedelics
• The difference between ketamine alone & ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP)
• Why video surveillance matters in ketamine clinics
• Integration: what it actually means & why it’s the secret to lasting change
• The power of sensory cues, ritual, & subconscious priming
• Why preparation & intention matter just as much as the medicine

About Dr. Emily Bullock:

Dr. Emily Bullock, Psy.D. is a Utah-based Clinical Psychologist, entrepreneur, & founder of Great Salt Lake Wellness & Medical. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, she launched a multidisciplinary mental health & ketamine clinic, integrating therapies like EMDR, IFS, yoga, & functional medicine.

She specializes in treating the trauma underlying chronic mental health symptoms & is the creator of a comprehensive training course for clinicians looking to add ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) into their practice—ethically, legally, & holistically.

Resources & Links from This Episode:

Dr. Bullock’s Course:
Bringing Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy to Your Clinic
→ Buy the eBook on Amazon
→ 20% Off: Email [email protected] with subject line: K2C-ANNA

GreatSaltLakeWellness.com
GreatSaltLakeMedical.com
All Dr. Bullock’s Links

The Dr. Emily Show:
Spotify | Apple

Follow Dr. Bullock:
IG: @dremilybullock | TikTok: @dr.emilybullock
LinkedIn: Emily Bullock

Upcoming Events:

• KAP Experiential for Providers – April 17, 2025 in Utah
• KAP Experiential for Entrepreneurs – Apply Here

Ready to Prepare for Your Own Ketamine Journey? 

If you’re preparing for your first ketamine experience, you don’t just need the medicine—you need the map. That’s why I created the Ketamine Preparation Protocol (KPP)—a guided, self-paced process to help you set powerful intentions, regulate your nervous system, & prime your subconscious for lasting change.

Perfect for people with anxiety or no prior psychedelic experience
Includes guided audios, exercises, & printable prep tools
Designed to make sure your ketamine journey actually transforms your life

Not all ketamine clinics are created equal—and your transformation deserves the right container. In this episode of Ketamine Connections, Anna breaks down exactly how to vet a ketamine clinic so you can feel safe, supported, and set up for success. Whether you’re just starting your journey or comparing clinics in your area, this episode will help you ask the right questions and trust your gut.

✨ You’ll learn:

• The different types of ketamine administration (IV, IM, sublingual, etc.)
• What to look for in a clinic’s environment, staff, and vibe
• How to tell if a clinic offers (or is open to) preparation and integration support
• The red flags to avoid when choosing your provider
• Why your preferences, safety, and intuition matter most

📥 FREE RESOURCE: Download the Ketamine Clinic Vetting Checklist mentioned in the episode so you can follow along, take notes, and advocate for yourself confidently. Link here

🌿 Want expert support preparing for your journey?
Check out the Ketamine Prep Protocol (KPP)—a self-paced course designed to help you mentally, emotionally, and energetically prepare for your ketamine experience so you can get the most out of every session.

📌 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Download the Ketamine Clinic Vetting Checklist (PDF)
• Learn more about the Ketamine Prep Protocol (KPP)
• Episode 4: How Ketamine Is Administered
• Episode 28: Should You Journey Solo or With Support?

💬 Loved this episode?
Please rate, review, and share it with a friend who’s thinking about starting ketamine therapy. And don’t forget to hit subscribe so you never miss a new episode.