Episode 08 - Tori Deal: The Challenge Within

This is definitely one of the more unique episodes to ever happen on this podcast! Tori Deal is one of the more well known contestants and breakout stars of MTVs reality TV super power show, "The Challenge." No matter what you may or may not think of reality TV, I encourage you to open your mind and step into the inspiring story and force that is Tori. Our conversation ranged from finding the depths of despair even while surrounded by success to psychedelic and mental health breakthroughs and how using ones platform for good can be so rewarding. 

Tori Deal is a passionate creator, writer, and fierce champion of MTV’s The Challenge. Recognized by Variety as one of the Top 40 Influential Women in reality TV, she’s dedicated to bridging the gap between purpose and productivity through storytelling. With an audience nearing a million followers across all social media platforms, Tori is passionate about sharing her creative projects and inspiring others to embrace self-love and personal growth. Through her work as a certified meditation coach and author she continues to extend her mission to inspire, uplift, and empower people to live intentionally and authentically.

Episode 07 - Ben Malcom: The Spirit Pharmacist

This all new episode of the Psychedelics Then and Now Podcast features an all new interview with the ever wise and important Ben Malcom, The Spirit Pharmacist. Ben's knowledge of psychedelic compounds, drug interactions, safe use and pharmacological histories holds a unique place in today's psychedelic culture. His welcoming approach to very complicated topics really sets him apart from other scientific luminaries. Our conversation illuminated so many nooks and crannies within this ever expanding knowledge base.

Also, the intro brings classic 1977 Ram Dass's take on cognitive liberty and consciousness exploration. (Thank you to the Love Serve Remember Foundation)

About Ben Malcom

I envision a society in which access to psychedelic drugs in a variety of safe settings is available for purposes of psychospiritual well-being, personal development, ceremonial sacraments, and treatment of mental illness.

I strive to let my loves and passions guide my activity and provide the canvas my life is painted on. I hope this site can be of service to my vision as well as you.

Professionally, I was trained as a clinical psychiatric pharmacist and worked in academia for almost five years before dedicating myself to Spirit Pharmacist.

Today I provide psychopharmacology consulting, courses in psychedelic pharmacy, and a Member Resource and Support Program.

On a more personal note, I’m a lover of nature, exercise, music, and consciousness as well as being a father. I’m passionate about cognitive liberty, self-realization, and psychedelic drugs.

Episode 06: Luke Storey - The Life Stylist   This episode of the podast features an all new interview with Luke Storey; podcaster, human optimization expert and wellness coach. We dive into many layers of mutual intersections around addiction, recovery, psychedelics and reinvention. Luke's story and approach to using psychedelics as a wisdom tool and growth agent is one worth paying attention too.    Also, Zach Leary's new book 'Your Extraordinary Mind: Psychedelics in the 21st Century and How to Use Them' is out now and available whereever books are sold!   NOTE - The Psychedelics Then and Now Podcast is also available on YouTube @zachleary108   About Luke Storey   Luke experienced significant neglect and abuse as a young child. In his pre-teen years, he turned to drugs and crime to escape his emotional turmoil. After a burglary arrest at 14, he was sentenced to a two-year wilderness reform school for troubled teens. Unaided by this intervention, Luke soon returned to addiction, having failed to heal his underlying issues.   At age 19, Luke moved to Hollywood, CA, to pursue his dreams as a musician. But carrying forward unresolved childhood trauma, he soon found himself lost in the city's shadows, addicted to alcohol, heroin, and crack. Mental, emotional, and physical illness were familiar companions as his life spiraled toward oblivion. Thankfully, his desperation inspired an interest in Eastern mysticism and alternative medicine, which later became integral to his redemption.   One evening, during a harrowing psilocybin mushroom trip, Luke was confronted by this hopelessness of his situation. Unable to avoid the harsh reality of his predicament, he subsequently entered a drug treatment center at the age of 26. Humbled by 15 years in the bondage of addiction, Luke willingly embraced the 12-Step approach to recovery. There he discovered the transformative power of spiritual principles and prayer. This process of surrender facilitated a spiritual awakening that forever changed the course of his life.   Inspired by this newfound freedom, Luke began channeling his passion for escapism into pursuing spiritual wisdom and higher states of consciousness. Through his reawakening, he became deeply committed to understanding the healing process and helping others overcome their limitations.

Episode 05 - Mary Olivar and Olivia MacDonell: The ACT Conference

This episode of the podcast features an all new interview with Mary Olivar and Oliva MacDonell, two powerful women from our community here in Austin. They are the co-founders of a new conference called The ACT Conference (Activation, Collaboration, Transformation) which is the first conference designed for facilitators and by facilitators. Our talk covered so much ground ranging from their personal stories, indigenous cultures and medince work, ehtical conundrums in the psychedelic space and so much more. Mary and Olivia are inspirational models for how to work and thrive in the psychedelic space.

The ACT confernece is on May 14-15 in Austin. Tickets are available here:

https://actevents.net/

Olivia MacDonell is a passionate advocate for intentional leadership, psychedelic integration, and the transformative power of aftercare. As the founder of TAP Integration, the first software platform built for facilitators by facilitators, Olivia is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking technology designed to support individuals in their psychedelic integration journey. TAP Integration empowers facilitators to track clients' progress, provide tailored aftercare, and foster hands-on involvement in the technology, ensuring sustainable and meaningful change.

With years of experience working in the psychedelic space, Olivia has become a trusted educator, integration specialist, and speaker on the intersection of psychedelics and personal growth. She is a frequent panelist at major industry events, including SXSW, where she shares her expertise on the vital role of integration in psychedelic therapy.

Olivia's work extends beyond the app, she is also focused on building a supportive ecosystem for psychedelic facilitators, therapists, and their clients. Her commitment to accessibility and expanding the reach of psychedelic aftercare has earned her recognition as a leader in this emerging field.

Olivia's mission is clear: to help individuals connect deeply with themselves, their purpose, and the world around them, creating lasting impact through the power of psychedelics and integration.

Mary Olivar is a mission-driven leader, strategist, and connector dedicated to promoting harmony. With over 30 years of experience, she has empowered organizations to align with their core values, foster community well-being, and drive meaningful change.

As the former "Healthy Eating Guru" at Whole Foods Market, Mary inspired thousands to take charge of their health. She has been a trailblazer in emerging wellness industries, serving as an investor, educator, and advisor. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous communities, recognizing their role as stewards of sacred plant medicines and spiritual traditions.

Mary is the Executive Director of the Center for Shamanic Education and Exchange, where she focuses on generating resources to sustain Indigenous wisdom and practices. She has studied with the Wixarika Huichol in Mexico and the Shipibo Conibo in Peru, deepening her connection to ancestral knowledge. A sought-after speaker, she also serves as an advisor for SXSW.

A community- builder and super-connector, Mary thrives on value-aligned partnerships that elevate consciousness and drive systemic change. Whether leading organizations, moderating discussions, or supporting purpose-led initiatives, she brings vision, integrity, and impact to every endeavor. Based in Austin, Texas, she also leads song circles and water blessings, and cherishes time with her three children.

 

Episode 04: Jim Fadiman and Jordan Gruber - Microdosing: Everything you need to know

James Fadiman, PhD and Jordan Gruber, JD have just released a new book called 'Microdosing: FOR HEALTH, HEALING AND ENHANCED PERFORMANCE' and this episode of the podcast takes a deep dive with both Jim and Jordan into the seemignly magical applications of microdosing psychedelic compounds. The conversation covers all the essential information if you are considering microdosing and uncovers the vast array of conditions that microdosing might be helpful in treating. If you're interested in this end of the psychedelic spectrum - look no further.

JAMES FADIMAN, PhD, has been professionally involved with psychedelics for over 60 years. He developed modern microdosing, including the use of protocols, specific dose ranges, and time off. He is the author of The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (2011) and is the world’s foremost microdosing researcher.

JORDAN GRUBER, JD, co-author of Your Symphony of Selves with Fadiman in 2020, has written, ghost written, and edited over a dozen books in a wide variety of fields including psychology, spirituality, finance, and personal development. He has been close friends with Fadiman since 1990 and contributed to The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide.

Episode 03: Dennis Walker - Satire, Mushrooms and More

No one else in today's psychedelic community brings satire and useful information quite like Dennis Walker, the founder of Mycropreneur. This interview dives into many twists and turns around content, growing trends, the ever expanding mycology industry and other hot topics within today's psychedelic world. Dennis's humour and intelliegence is first rate and is worth getting to know. 

Dennis is the founder of Mycropreneur a globally acclaimed mushroom media platform & mushroom startup accelerator. Featured in Rolling Stone, Forbes, Wired, Vice, High Times, etc., 25 million + video views, international conference keynotes, 100% bootstrapped. 

Mycopreneur is a global community of mushroom entrepreneurs, activists and enthusiasts who are shaping the future with a little help from our fungi friends.

Episode 02 - John Mackey: The Whole Story

This episode of the Psychedelics Then and Now podcast features an all new interview with Zach and John Mackey that was recorded live in Austin, TX thanks to Psychedelic Society of Texas. John takes us through an oral history of his early life in Austin and how Whole Foods grew from a fledgling local natural food grocer to an international revolution that changed the way we think about food, nutrition and health. And yes, there are some very poignant psychedelic stories that influenced John and helped to shape his path.

The intro content features a snippet from a 1982 talk from William Burroughs recorded at Naropa Univeristy and is part of the Timothy Leary Estate collection.

John Mackey is an American businessman and writer. He is the co-founder of Whole Foods Market and was the CEO of the company from its inception in 1980 until 2022. Named Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the year in 2003, he is one of the most influential advocates in the movement for organic food. John's new book 'The Whole Story: Adventures in Love, Life and Capitalism' is out now. 

Psychedelics Then and Now with Zach Leary: Episode 01 - East Forest: Music for Mushrooms

This is the first episode in the rebranded Psychedelics Then and Now Podcast with Zach Leary. Formerly the MAPS Podcast - the show will continue to bring you insightful and entertaining interviews with some of the great minds within the psychedelic community. The podcast is a collaboration between Zach Leary and Psychedelics Today. 

We relaunch with an all new episode featuring East Forest, a multidisciplinary artist, producer, and ceremony guide. Since 2008, East Forest’s “lush” (Rolling Stone) and “blissful” (NPR) music has blended ambient, neoclassical, electronic, and avant-pop to explore sound as a tool for inner journeys and consciousness expansion.

The project's latest endeavor is the feature-length film Music for Mushrooms, a narrative documentary showcasing the transformative power of psychedelics, music, and community. The accompanying Official Documentary Soundtrack is an immersive album featuring tracks recorded during live psilocybin ceremonies.

East Forest's extensive catalog includes over 30 albums and notable collaborations with artists such as Ram Dass, Jon Hopkins, Laraaji, Dead Prez, Nick Mulvey, Peter Broderick, Max Cooper, and DJ ANNA. The project has performed in over 18 countries at major festivals and venues including BottleRock, Beyond The Pale, Mysteryland, Wilderness and SXSW.

Episode 75 - Rob from Adeptus Psychonautica

This episode of the MAPS Podcast features and all new, and very entertaining, interview with Rob from Adeptus Psychonautica which is a YouTube channel, podcast and psychedelic education and harm reduction outlet. Rob and Zach chat about the current state of the psychedelic movement, their earliest introductions into plant medicine healing and get into Robs all around unique take on magic and mysticism! 

Rob considers himself to be a fairly ordinary person from the North West of England, who like most teenagers back in the 1990's was introduced to various mind altering chemicals, some of which had a profound effect on him and encouraged further exploration into the world of altered states. This journey has lasted over thirty years until the present day. As well as his personal exploration Rob has spent significant time participating in traditional psychedelic ceremonies, from ayahuasca in the Amazon, to huachuma in the Sacred Valley, and amanita muscaria in his native Europe. In 2018 Rob started a YouTube channel as a hobby, with the goal being to document some of his travels in South America. The channel was named Adeptus Psychonautica as a reference to the sci-fi mysticism of Warhammer 40K (a board game), and also because roughly translated it means "one who has been initiated into the college of psychonautic study", which not only served as an appropriate description, but also sounded kinda cool. Rob currently lives in Switzerland with his two teenage children, and a small assortment of tropical fish.

Episode 74 - Joe Moore, Psychedelics Today

Joe Moore, CEO and co-founder of Psychedelics Today, joins this episode of the MAPS podcast for a wide ranging discussion around the past, present and future of psychedelic culture. Joe shares some of his personal story, the origins of Psychedelics Today, feelings around the War on Drugs and take home ketamine. Joe has so much in depth knowledge on the current state of psychedelic growth, culture and harm reduction. His take is not to be missed. 

Joe Moore is CEO and co-founder of Psychedelics Today. 

Psychedelics Today is the planetary leader in psychedelic education, media and advocacy.

Psychedelics are set to disrupt the way humanity approaches healing and wellness, making way for a new paradigm in healthcare and cognitive liberty. We bridge scientific, academic, philosophical, societal, and cultural disciplines, covering up-to-the-minute developments and diving deep into crucial topics. Together, we are leading the discussion in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.

Through compelling content, thoughtful conversation and industry-leading education for a community of over 2.2 million annual learners, Psychedelics Today has the largest global reach of any media platform in the modern psychedelic realm. We honor this responsibility with humanity and humility.