Dr. Joe Tafur and Natasha Pentin spoke with Canadian adult and pediatric neurologist Dr. Evan Cole Lewis to explore how epilepsy, trauma, and brain networks intertwine. We discuss pediatric epilepsy, cannabis for seizures, Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), and emerging psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments. Dr. Lewis talks about the differences between structural brain injury and brain “software” disruption, shining light on the world of trauma-based neurological symptoms. 

Dr. Lewis holds a clinical appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children and at the University of Toronto. Currently practicing at North Toronto Neurology and Homeward Therapy, Dr. Lewis focuses on epilepsy, brain injury, concussion and post-concussion symptoms, functional neurological disorders, and the therapeutic use of cannabis and psychedelics in these conditions.

You can see more of Dr. Lewis’s work here: 

For Dr. Joe Tafur’s newsletter and Patreon: https://www.modernspirit.org/patreon 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Introduction and Dr. Lewis’s Background

(01:57) WeCann Conference Meeting

(04:16) Cannabis for Pediatric Epilepsy

(05:47) Success Stories with Cannabis

(9:30) Harm-Reduction Approach & Opening a Clinic

(12:40) Medication for Different Types of Seizures 

(15:33) Psychedelics Treatment & Brain Networks

(18:58) Functional Neurological Disorders (FND) & Non-Epileptic Seizures 

(22:19) The Brain’s Structure vs Software 

(23:44) Diagnosing FND

(29:19) Concussion and FND

(33:55) Psychedelics and Brain Network Disruption

(36:01) FND Also Rooted in Trauma Rather Than Physical Injury

(39:44) Bridging Neurology and Psychology

(45:08) Challenges and Risks of Psychedelic Treatments

(54:54) Importance of Medical Education in Psychedelics

(01:01:57) Future Projects and Research Initiatives

Natasha Pentin is joined by Dr. Joe Tafur himself and Xochi Bucuru. Dr. Tafur is a Colombo-American integrative physician, traditionally trained spiritual healer (Ayahuasquero), and highly acclaimed author. Xochi is a Colombian traditional healer (Yagecera), educator, and promoter of Indigenous community projects. 

They discuss supporting Indigenous traditions, navigating the learning curve of ancestral healing, advice for finding respectful plant medicine ceremonies, the power of music, discernment, upcoming projects, and more.

Modern Spirit Website: https://www.modernspirit.org/ 

Joe’s books: 

Timestamps: 

(00:00) Introduction to the Modern Spirit Podcast

(00:47) Introducing the Guests: Dr. Joe Tafur & Xochi Bucuru

(02:15) How Joe & Xochi Met

(04:17) Elevating Indigenous Voices

(06:37) Combining Science and Spirit

(09:10) Yagé Used As Medicine

(10:32) The Influence of Many Teachers

(11:56) Combining Traditions in Ceremony

(19:45) The Power of Music in Healing 

(25:50) Unlocking Your Natural Healing Intelligence 

(30:50) Discernment & Interpreting Messages

(36:04) Finding Safe Spiritual Experiences 

(38:55) Building Genuine Relationships 

(42:54) Conserving Traditional Knowledge & Social Mobility 

(50:22) Xochi’s Upcoming Projects 

(53:22) Overcoming Stereotypes 

(55:14) How to Hear More 

(56:47) Seeking Donations for Scholarships 

Modern Spirit Podcast hosted by Dr. Joe Tafur & Natasha Pentin. 

Great interview with my friends and colleagues, Ray and Amalia Baca. Together we started the Ocotillo Center for Integrative Medicine, which continues to evolve. Raymond Alonzo “Two Bears” Baca describes himself as a Christian Taoist, walking the Red Road. I call him a Medicine Man and a Breathworker. Amalia Baca obtained her doctorate’s from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Baca has developed a strong passion for providing medical care to families, using advanced medical technologies as well as traditional & indigenous healing methods. Together their experiences with sacred ceremony, with & without entheogens, have blessed them with opportunities to help others with their healing work and post-integration. Breathwork has become a big part of that integration, and in this episode, they share their expertise with our audience. Enjoy this profound episode!

Wonderful discussion with my old friend, research and spiritual mentor Dr. Paul Mills.
Paul J. Mills was Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health and Director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health.
He was also Chief of the UC San Diego Behavioral Medicine Division, Director of the UC San Diego Clinical Research Biomarker Laboratory, and Co-director of the UC San Diego Clinical and Translational Research Institute’s Translational Research Technology (TRT) Program.
He is currently serving as Director of Research for the Chopra Foundation.

He has expertise in Integrative Medicine, Traditional Medical systems, and psychoneuroimmune processes in wellness and disease, publishing numerous manuscripts and book chapters on these topics.
Dr. Paul Mills has been an inspirational figure in many lives, we look back on his career and forward to his continued work bridging the spiritual and the scientific. Enjoy.
Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Great interview with my old friend and Modern Spirit Board Member Dr. Shamini Jain PhD.
Dr. Shamini Jain is the Founder and CEO of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI), a collaborative accelerator that facilitates the transdisciplinary science and real-world application of consciousness and healing practices. As a clinical psychologist, as well as a research scientist in the fields of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and integrative medicine for over a decade, Shamini formed CHI through a deep understanding that major systemic transformations, which will place healing at the center of medicine and scientific inquiry, will most rapidly occur through a networked approach that fosters collaboration and innovation among key stakeholders.
Rennaissance woman Shamini Jain guides us into her fascinating work with CHI and the world of evidence-based biofield therapies…helping us to understand how energy healing techniques are finding their way back into modern healthcare. Always a joy to talk with Shamini, please join us.

Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Thought-provoking interview with my friend and colleague educator and researcher Ronan Hallowell M.A., Ed.D. Ronan is Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Education at the USC School of Medicine. As a member of the Learning Sciences Team in the Department of Medical Education at Keck, he works with colleagues to provide a suite of curriculum and instruction services to faculty and administrators that includes instructional design and faculty development. He currently serves as a Co-Investigator on a digital health literacy grant funded by the AMA as part of its Accelerating Change in Medical Education initiative. Dr. Hallowell also conducts research on physician professional identity formation, curriculum design and cross-cultural perspectives on medicine. He is a student of the world’s wisdom traditions and a ceremonial singer in the Lakota Native American tradition.
We explore the hot topics of structural racism and cultural competency, and how do we prepare the next generation of healthcare providers to be more sophisticated with these topics. How can indigenous wisdom guide us into a deeper compassion?

Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Claudia Cuentas, Cantante, Terapista, Educadora comparta su alegría y su sabiduria en este fanscinante conversación sobre el valor de la medicina ancestral en nuestro mundo moderno. Sobre donde entra la espiritualidad y el misticismo en la práctica de la pscicología y la terapía. Aprende más sobre Claudia, originalmente de Peru, y escucha su musica inspirante en la pagina claudiacuentas.com

Learn more at modernspirit.org.

David Schumann, joins us for a very special interview. David Schumann is a mathematician, engineer, researcher, and writer working in the fields of natural health, green energy, science, spirituality, and technology. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Arizona and spent fifteen years in the pyrotechnic device business as engineer and program lead. His company, Synergy Energy Systems, was formed in 2008 to consult, develop innovative products, and publish information around his varied interests. He began his project Living with Radiation (livingwithradiation.com) in 2011 in response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster and self-published his first book on nuclear radiation and health in 2014. His second book was published in 2019 on the Takata airbag scandal.

Join us for an illuminating and evidence-based discussion about the health risks of electromagnetic and cellular radiation and the growing 5G network.

Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Rael Cahn, MD PhD, joins us for a fascinating interview. Dr. Cahn is a clinician scientist at the USC Brain and Creativity Institute. He has extensive personal experience as a meditation practitioner and experience teaching mindfulness meditation practices to clinicians and patients alike. His research expertise is in the neuroscience of meditation and altered states of consciousness.

Dr. Cahn is the Principal Investigator of the Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project, please support his work through the Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project Crowdfund.

Join us for a fascinating discussion of altered states of consciousness, meditation research, brain waves and the EEG, psychedelic medicine, and much more.

Learn more at modernspirit.org.