Amy McGuire, director of the Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, chronicles the mental health crisis while exploring psilocybin and MDMA research into depression, PTSD, and anxiety. She traces the nuances of psychedelic legalization and medicalization.

Sean Lawlor, psychedelic therapist and author, chronicles the concerning trend of "psychedelic bypassing" - avoiding discussion of adverse effects and unethical behavior in the name of protecting psychedelics' public image. He examines egregious examples like facilitators justifying abuse, backlash against constructive criticism, and "guru syndrome." Lawlor and Dr. Richard Miller explore the vital need for transparency regarding psychedelic risks to uphold ethics amid today's open access.

Today's guest Dr. Rachel Harris joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to discuss her latest book, Swimming in the Sacred: Reclaiming the Mystical Essence of Psychedelic Therapy. They explore Rachel's interviews with elder underground psychedelic guides who have been serving plant medicines for decades.

Clinical psychologist Heath Scheckinger examines polyamory and consensual non-monogamy, chronicling the practical realities and ethical dilemmas in these alternative relationship styles while exploring cultural biases and the pull towards normalcy in relating.

Dr. Nick Cozzi, acclaimed psychopharmacologist, chronicles the overlooked physiological and psychological dangers of psychedelics like LSD, DMT, and psilocybin while exploring proper precautions for safe use.

Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

Psychiatrist Dr. Michael Mithoefer, a pioneering psychedelic therapy researcher, chronicles the dramatic effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD while examining the need for careful precautions to minimize adverse effects and risks. He explores integrating psychedelic medicine into mainstream practice, managing overwhelming emotions that may surface, avoiding unrealistic expectations, and fostering proper set, setting and integration.

Andrés Gómez Emilsson of Qualia Research Institute joins us to discuss innovating at the frontiers of psychedelic science. We explore Andrés' work mathematically mapping DMT experiences and collaborating with physicists to interpret objects in psychedelic realms. Andrés also shares his research developing technology to induce therapeutic psychedelic states through sound, light and vibration. Additional topics include using meditation to cultivate well-being, engineering benevolent machine consciousness, and prescribing psychedelics to eradicate cluster headaches.

Listener John Ivey shares his wisdom facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, and how psychedelics unveil insight even at life’s end. With poise and courage, John discusses embracing impermanence consciously with plant medicines’ aid, not numbing his final days. He reflects on healing our planet and ourselves, our shared karma, and psychedelics as a catalyst for creativity amid declining health. John inspires by exemplifying responsibility for spiritual unfolding in living and dying, not relinquishing control. His moving story offers hope that psychedelics can provide a lucid, gracious passage.

In this episode, Dr. Richard Louis Miller interviews Marian Goodell, CEO of Burning Man, about the history and principles of the iconic cultural event. Goodell discusses the origins of Burning Man as a solstice bonfire ritual on a San Francisco beach, and how it has evolved into a global movement centered around radical inclusion, gifting, and communal effort.

She also talks about the challenges of maintaining Burning Man's ethos in the face of commercialization and political polarization, and how the organization aims to inspire positive social and cultural change through its principles. This episode offers a fascinating insight into the philosophy and culture of one of the world's most unique and influential events.