The Conversation, Cannabis & Christianity podcast

Alex Detmering is a tech marketer & psychedelic journalist. His anonymous podcast, Secret Wilderness, gives people who have gone through psychedelic therapy the chance to tell their stories with remarkable honesty. You can subscribe to Secret Wilderness at parablefoundation.substack.com.

The islands will look to me and wait in hope for my arm. Lift up your eyes to the heavens, look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail.

Jeff Rawson, Ph.D. founded the non-profit, Institute of Cannabis Science while he was a postdoctoral researcher in chemistry at Harvard. He does scientific research, investigative reporting, regulatory reviews, and subject matter expertise on cannabis testing. Jeff serves on the American Society of Testing and Materials D37 committees on cannabis and the American Counsel of Independent Labs, which awarded him their Preston S. Miller award for extraordinary services in 2024.

Jeff earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Bard College in 2002, an M.S. in organic chemistry from the University of Vermont in 2009, and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Duke University in 2014. Driven by a passion to improve public health, Jeff uses his analytical skills to protect consumers of cannabis.

Whether we realize and accept it or not, forgiveness is available to everyone. It is not a coincidence that too many of us become bitter as we live longer. Self condemnation is a symptom of the Torah's covenant from Mount Sinai, a covenant that humans are incapable of fulfilling.

Grace super-abounds

At the end of a day, how do we understand the stories and themes we hear in this loud 21st Century?

For the past eight years Chris Olson has produced educational programming for the cannabis and psychedelic industries, most recently for MJBizCon. Previously he developed conference programming and webinars for the National Cannabis Industry Association where he helped the Community College of Denver develop a cannabis business associate degree. Additionally, Chris produced programming for Jage Media cannabis retailers and brands. He also served as a field manager for the campaign to decriminalize psilocybin in Denver, Colorado.

There are moments in our lives when we are required to truthfully say out loud what we believe to be true about the life we have lived, and live, and the direction it now points. Many of us do not have an answer for what we believe about the purpose and value of our own life; yet, we claim to understand offense.

The funny thing about breath is that it can only be taken one breath at a time. Attempting to work against the body's mechanics will only result in damage and disease in the mortal frame. Appreciation and gratitude are hand-in-hand, and both require slowing down the imagination so the mind can recognize that it has been hijacked by profiteers.

When I invited Cynthia Saarie to be a guest, it was based upon her work in the cannabis industry (www.bestcopynow.com) where she helps cannabis companies, and all companies, improve their customer interface. What I learned after she accepted the invitation was that most of her life she has been a student of scripture.

Cynthia's life is far from over, but the life she has lived is a life of victory. Victory where defeat appeared to be the only option.

In the midst of daily living, it is good to recognize the need for a soft heart and a steadfast spirit in your mortal frame (your body which houses the heart and mind).