Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

In this episode, music and psychedelic entrepreneur Brandon Deroche, founder and CEO of Propeller and Portal, shares how transformative plant medicine journeys have influenced him and his career path. Wanting to have a meaningful career from a young age, and influenced by his grandfather’s death, insights from psychedelics and Ram Dass, Brandon and I discuss how he’s has pursued positive social change with his businesses. This is a path that has also created opportunities for him to work with the likes of Chappelle Roan, Justin Isbell, Lorde, ODESZA, Boygenius, and many more. We also get into how and why he, along with Justin Boreta, formerly of The Glitch Mob, created Portal, a non-profit and community dedicated to destigmatizing the responsible use of psychedelics, educating about their benefits, and advocating for accessibility. If you’re wanting to start a business in the psychedelic, non-profit or music space, you’ll want to tune into this one!

BRANDON'S LINKS:

SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Personal growth and transformation come in many forms, almost all of them challenging. Having a guide to help you navigate these journeys can be extremely helpful. In this episode, nature-based transformational guide Jade Sherer shares 20+ years of wisdom gleaned from assisting people through such trials and towards more authentic, soul-fulfilling lives. This includes 10-day nature retreats, one-on-one conversations over Zoom, and helping clients interpret powerful dreams. Together, Jade and I explore the profound impact of nature-based transformational processes—vision quests, for example—on personal growth and discovering one's true self. We delve into the challenges and rewards of such journeys, including Jade's personal battle with ovarian cancer, and how it all has shaped her understanding of life and death, purpose and connection, and grief and joy. This episode is full of wisdom. Tune in.

JADE'S LINK:

itsournature.net

SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg joins Scott in this episode of the Love, Loss & Hallucinations podcast to discuss the wisdom he has gained around grief, success, anxiety and integrity during his 25-year journey as an artist. Stephen talks about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped his life and career, and we both share our evolving understanding of love. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, relationships, and finding peace in the midst of life's complexities. Finally, don't miss Stephen's new stand-up comedy show on Amazon Prime, Maybe This Will Work.

(This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

STEPHEN'S LINKS:

SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this special 25th episode of "Love, Loss and Hallucinations," Scott welcomes back his first guest and his wife, Tiffanie DeBartolo, to share her profound journey with plant medicine the day before. Together, they explore the depths of human existence, the mysteries of identity, the spiritual revelations that come from embracing discomfort, source or god, and her revelation of what awaits us after death. Tiffanie's candid reflections on her intense mushroom experience reveals a unique perspective on life, love, and the interconnectedness of all things. Join us for an enlightening conversation that challenges perceptions and celebrates the transformative power of plant medicine.

(This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

TIFFANIE'S LINKS: Instagram | website | Bright Antenna Records | Bookshop | Amazon | Dream for an Insomniac 

SCOTT’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

“I’ve found I can do about two years of therapy in a single day,” says this week’s guest, psychotherapist Jonathan Robinson, about using MDMA with clients. Starting in the 1970s, therapists began using MDMA to treat patients. But, by the late 80s, this empathogen became the rave drug of choice, and its therapeutic uses were sidelined when the DEA classified it as a schedule 1 controlled substance. Recently, it has resurfaced in therapeutic circles, most notably for a MAPS* study testing it to treat PTSD. Robinson, also a best-selling author, joins me in this week’s episode to share his extensive experience of treating over 800 clients with MDMA, addressing issues from trauma, anxiety and depression, to dramatically improving couple’s relationships after just one guided MDMA session. We also discuss the history of MDMA, its impact on therapy, how his MDMA protocol differs from the MAPS protocol, and his unique approach to using MDMA in both in-person and Zoom sessions. And you won’t want to miss the story of what happened when his conservative parents tried it!

*Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies 

(This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes only.)

JONATHAN'S LINKS:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Books 

SCOTT’S LINKS:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this deep and funny episode, I’m joined by Kyle Nicolaides,lead singer/songwriter/guitarist for the band Beware of Darkness, to explore his transformative journey from depression to healing. Kyle opens up about his struggles with mental health, the pivotal role of ayahuasca in his recovery, insights from his book (Thank God for Depression), tapping into and protecting creativity as an artist, and the devious nature of co-dependency. There is so much insightful wisdom in this one that I had a hard time picking highlight clips. Also, Kyle is f’ing hilarious. 

KYLE'S LINKS:

SCOTT’S LINKS:

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this episode, Christine Rosen joins me to discuss the many critical human skills we’re in the process of losing due to technology. Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author of "The Extinction of Experience." Together, we explore the impact of technology on human connection, the importance of face-to-face interactions, the value of boredom and the challenges of raising children in a digital age. Christine shares insights from her book, including how we are losing authentic experiences and the need for skepticism in adopting new technologies. Tune in for a deep dive into how we can preserve meaningful human connections with each other and the natural world in an increasingly mediated world.

THE EXTINCTION OF EXPERIENCE Links:

Bookshop | Amazon

SCOTT’S LINKS:

website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Listen and be uplifted! Siri Lindley joins me to dive into her extraordinary life. She was a world champion triathlete who didn’t know how to swim. She battled a rare, almost-always-deadly strand of leukemia and won. She weathered homophobia in her personal life and athletic career, learning how to live authentically along the way. She and her partner, Rebekah Keat, started a successful horse rescue with zero experience. Hers is a journey of self-discovery and resilience. She shares hard-earned lessons on how to live a fulfilling life with infectious enthusiasm. This is a story of triumph, love, and the transformation. Tune in for a super boost of inspiration and joy.

"Live fearlessly every day!" -Siri Lindley

*NOTE: The Tri Me documentary is not coming out in 2025.

SIRI’S LINKS:

SCOTT’S LINKS:

website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this heartfelt episode of "Love, Loss, and Hallucinations," I welcome Christy Turlington-Burns, founder and president of Every Mother Counts. Together we dive into themes of love, loss and resilience as Christy shares touching moments from her dad’s passing when she was in her late 20s, what she learned from witnessing his death (and her grandmother's), how Eastern philosophy helped her understand it, and her dad’s unintentional lessons in feminism. We talk about the ins and outs of making a marriage work, the importance of giving yourself time to breath before substantial life changes, and how the biggest lessons can often be learned from the little things in life. Christy also shares her life-changing journey from international model to maternal health advocate, discussing the personal experiences that inspired her mission. Join us for an uplifting conversation that highlights the importance of empathy, connection, and advocacy in today's world.

CHRISTY’S LINKS:

SCOTT’S LINKS:

website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

In this profound episode, I welcome Benjamin Forest, a retired lieutenant colonel who has transformed his life into that of a psychedelic coach, speaker, and author. We dive into Benjamin's transformative journey from a military career to embracing the healing power of psychedelics, exploring themes of spirituality, personal growth, and the transformative impact of plant medicine. Benjamin shares how he escaped years of depression, as well as insights from his book 'Trip of a Lifetime,' an in-depth guidebook for those who are considering using plant medicine and for those wanting to take their journeys deeper.

(This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.)

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

BENJAMIN'S LINKS:

RadioLab episode on Critical Periods 

SCOTT’S LINKS:

website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 

MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”