Beyond the Story: How Psychedelics Expand Consciousness

"Healing is not about being broken." - Empathy Grove

Summary

Join us as we explore the transformative power of psychedelic-assisted therapy with experts Dr. Amy Keltchner and Jessica L. Corp.

Discover how traditional healing methods evolve into profound emotional and spiritual breakthroughs through ketamine, psilocybin, and other psychedelics, emphasising the importance of integration, safety, and the non-judgmental space for healing.

Join us as Amy and Jessica from Empathy Grove share their profound insights on preparing for altered states, the emotional truths that surface during these experiences, and the importance of ongoing self-care and spiritual practice.

Discover how they create safe spaces for transformation and the difference between healing and coping.

Keywords

psychedelic therapy, ketamine, integration, emotional healing, spirituality, mental health, trauma, self-awareness, neuroplastiscity, holistic healing altered states, ketamine therapy, emotional healing, spiritual practice, self-care, transformation, mental health, psychedelic therapy, integration, mindfulness.

Key Topics

The evolution from traditional to psychedelic-assisted healing.

The role of spirituality and connection in healing.

The importance of safety, trust, and regulation in therapy.

How integration transforms psychedelic experiences into lasting change.

The different roles of psychedelics like ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA Preparation for altered states.

Emotional truths during psychedelic sessions.

The difference between healing and coping.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Empathy Grove and Its Founders

02:42 The Shift from Traditional Healing to Psychedelic Therapy

05:11 Understanding Spirituality in Healing

08:09 The Importance of Connection in Therapy

10:32 The Trap of Identity and Limiting Beliefs

13:38 Navigating the Challenges of Healing

16:27 Misconceptions About Ketamine-Assisted Therapy

19:00 The Role of Psychedelics in Reorganising Self-Perception

32:31 The Importance of Integration in Therapy

38:03 Understanding Readiness for Ketamine Therapy

45:59 Emotional Truths and Patterns in Altered States

55:52 Preparing for Ketamine Sessions

01:03:15 Building Bridges Between Experiences and Daily Life

01:03:41 Understanding Addiction and Therapy

01:06:36 Healing vs. Coping: A Deeper Exploration

01:09:43 Navigating Life's Challenges and Acceptance

01:12:52 Fun and Games: Getting to Know the Guests

01:22:43 Advice for the Younger and Future Self

To get in touch with the Ladies from Empathy Grove please use the following:

https://empathygrove.com/

In this episode of The Check-In With Podcast, Calvin sits down with Georgia and Danielle, co-founders of Steady Ground Co, to explore how they're changing the conversation around workplace mental health.

They discuss what inspired them to become counsellors, why pluralistic counselling resonates with their practice, and how Steady Ground is helping organisations build healthier, more psychologically safe workplace cultures.The conversation also explores therapist authenticity, self-awareness, self-care, personal boundaries, starting a purpose-driven business, and the importance of embracing nuance rather than binary thinking.

Key Topics• Their journey into counselling

•Workplace wellbeing and organisational culture

•Pluralistic counselling

•Mental health accessibility

•Self-care and therapist wellbeing

•Building a mental health business

• Authenticity in therapy

• Human connection and professional growth

Key Takeaways

• Making mistakes in therapy can still create meaningful change.

• Authenticity builds stronger therapeutic relationships.

• Self-care is essential for sustainable practice.

• Growth comes from embracing complexity and remaining curious.

• Human connection remains at the heart of therapy.

Connect with Steady Ground Co: 020 3576 5504 

www.thesteadygroundco.com

 https://www.linkedin.com/company/thesteadygroundco/

  Title Honouring Your Multi‑Passionate Nature: Creativity, Curiosity & The Courage to Begin Again  

Are you stuck trying to choose just one thing when everything lights you up?

Society tells multi-passionate people to pick a lane, commit, specialise. But the more you try to squeeze yourself into a single box, the more restless, unfulfilled and creatively stuck you become. The ideas pile up. The projects stall. And the voice in your head starts calling you flaky, scattered, undisciplined.

In this episode, creative practitioner, storyteller and facilitator Bridget Badoe McQuick aka Lady Esi  unpacks what it means to own being multi-passionate and embrace it as a creative superpower you were born with. Bridget shares how curiosity fuels creativity and explores how to stop sabotaging your gifts, manage your energy like a master gardener, and use the "one thing" method to make real progress without burning out.

If you've ever felt guilty for wanting to do it all, this conversation is your permission slip.

 She founded The Storytelling Lab as a home for her multi‑passionate creativity  an ecosystem for voice, story and embodied expression. Its flagship project, Wisdom of the Village, grew from her Master’s research into family and community storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn or Instagram to explore her work and current projects.  

Linkedin Bridget Badoe McQuick https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbmcquick/

Instagram @askladyesi  https://www.instagram.com/askladyesi?igsh=Y3BwOXV5ZjY3bXNq

Linktree https://linktr.ee/thestorytellinglab

The Power of Emotional Resilience in Grief: A Holistic Approach

"Start with self-neutrality, not self-love."
"Rushing grief delays healing."
"Emotions are completely normal and human." - AG

 Summary
In this insightful interview, Anisha Goheel shares her journey through grief, her holistic approach to healing, and practical tools for emotional resilience. Discover how to navigate loss, set boundaries, and find hope amidst pain.

 Key  Topics
What emotional resilience looks like in grief
Unhelpful coping mechanisms and how to avoid them
Starting points for self-love during grief
The importance of being present and in the moment
The role of boundaries and communication in relationships during grief

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapy_with.me?igsh=MWN6OWgwcjhsd3kybA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therapy_with.me0?_r=1&_t=ZN-964ghZZjIZi

Ebook: https://0ebmyh-rw.myshopify.com/products/services-example-product-1

Stress to Resilience: Practical Strategies for Mental Wellbeing

"Exhaling for longer activates the vagus nerve" -FS

In this insightful episode, Fadiya Shaideen, founder of Find Your Strength Counselling Services, shares her journey and expertise on nervous system regulation, stress management, sleep, and mental health. Discover practical tools and strategies to transform stress into resilience and enhance overall well-being.

 key  topics
Nervous system regulation and its impact on stress
Practical tools for calming the nervous system
The connection between sleep and mental health
Stress patterns and how to break them
The importance of self-prioritisation and self-care

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/findyourstrength.ca

How much of your current relationship behaviour is shaped by unresolved trauma?

"Inner wisdom is usually steady and quiet" - AA

In this episode, therapist Anna Aslanian breaks down how past experiences especially from childhood continue to influence how we react, attach, and relate to others.

We explore:

The impact of unresolved trauma on relationships

Recognising emotional triggers and understanding your reactions

The difference between intuition and hypervigilance

Why people stay in unhealthy or toxic relationships

Healing childhood wounds to change relationship patterns

Why healing is not linear and what that actually means

With nearly 20 years of experience, Anna offers both practical strategies and honest insight into the deeper work of healing and self-awareness.

If you’re ready to stop repeating patterns and start understanding them, this conversation is for you.

To contact Anna directly: [email protected]

Unleashing Healing Power: The Future of Drama Therapy

"Theatre is the origin of healing."
"Drama externalises inner experiences."
"Storytelling helps to reframe things." - AM

In this inspiring interview, Amy Mackay, chair of the British Association of Drama Therapists, shares her personal journey into drama therapy, its transformative power, and the future of the profession. Discover how creativity supports mental health, the challenges faced, and how to get involved.

 Key  Topics
Amy Mackay's journey into drama therapy
The mission and importance of the British Association of Drama Therapists
The transformative power of storytelling and drama in mental health
Challenges faced by drama therapists in healthcare and community settings
Future opportunities and innovations in drama therapy

 Takeaways
Drama therapy has deep roots in human history, from shamanic rituals to Greek theatre.
Creative arts like drama and storytelling are universal languages that access the subconscious.
Regulation by HCPC ensures high standards and professional recognition for drama therapists.
There is a rising need for mental health support, and drama therapy can play a transformative role.
Advocacy, research, and inclusive practices are key to expanding the impact of drama therapy.

To contact Amy please use the following:

https://play-it-through.co.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-louise-mackay/?skipRedirect=true

Unlocking Emotional Resilience with NeuroAffective-CBT

"Blood work and lifestyle are integral to therapy."

 Summary

In this in-depth interview, Daniel Mirea, founder of NeuroAffective-CBT, explores the science behind this innovative therapy, its distinctions from traditional CBT, and practical applications for emotional regulation, trauma, shame, and lifestyle factors. Discover how integrating physiology, neuroscience, and body-brain affect models can enhance psychotherapy outcomes.

Key Topics

NeuroAffective-CBT foundations and science.

Distinction between retraumatization and regulatory collapse.

Role of physiology, sleep, diet, and exercise in emotional regulation.

Shame as a core affect and its bodily manifestations.

Self-sabotaging strategies and internalized shame.

Importance of lifestyle interventions in psychotherapy.

Future directions and research needs for NeuroAffective-CBT

 Takeaways

NeuroAffective-CBT is a scientifically grounded evolution of traditional CBT.

Addressing physiological health is crucial before trauma processing.

Shame is a body-based affective state, not just a thought.

Lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and exercise significantly impact emotional regulation.

Self-sabotaging behaviors reinforce internalized shame and core vulnerabilities.

Integrating body and brain regulation enhances therapy outcomes.

Further research and clinical trials are needed to validate and refine NA-CBT.

Therapists should consider physiological assessments and lifestyle advice as part of treatment.

To get in contact with Daniel please use the following:

⁠www.neuroaffectivecbt.com⁠

The Future of Psychotherapy: Integrating Body and Mind

"Some emotions have no language" - DM

Join Calvin Anderson in an insightful conversation with Daniel Mirea, a pioneer in evidence-based psychological treatments and neuro-affective CBT. They explore the intricate connections between mind and body, the evolution of CBT, and innovative approaches to mental health that integrate biological and psychological insights.

 key  topics
Neuro-affective CBT development and principles
The interconnectedness of mind and body in mental health
The role of emotions as signals and their linguistic representation
The importance of sleep, diet, and exercise in psychological resilience
Evolution and future directions of cognitive behavioural therapy

To contact Daniel please use the following:

www.neuroaffectivecbt.com

Unveiling the Myths of Couples Therapy

"Let somebody speak fully everything they have to say." - JM

 summary

In this insightful episode, licensed marriage and family therapist Jenny Moss shares her expertise on couples therapy, communication, and healing from betrayal. Discover practical tools, common myths, and the importance of understanding each other's love languages to build stronger relationships.

 key  topics

Common reasons couples seek therapy

The importance of developing a unique couple language

Myths about couples therapy and divorce

How unresolved individual issues affect relationships

Effective communication beyond just talking

Rebuilding trust after betrayal

The role of attachment wounds in relationships

Cultural differences in relationship norms

To get in contact with Jenny please use the following:

https://thevillagetherapy.com/