In this week’s two-part series, Awakening to Infinite Love: LSD, Non-Duality, and Banana Fritters, Michaela sits down with globally renowned non-dual teacher Lisa Cairns to explore the transformative power of awakening. Lisa delves into the profound insights of non-duality, a direct experience of reality beyond thought, belief, and separation, offering practical wisdom on living an expansive, authentic life. In Part 1, the conversation focuses on how psychedelics like LSD, Ayahuasca, and mushrooms mirror the process of awakening, illuminating the unbinding from the illusion of self, time, and space. Lisa also explains the importance of shadow work, the difference between no-self and no-boundaries selflessness, and how to maintain presence while navigating relationships and challenges.

Part 2, available next week, takes a deeply personal turn as Lisa shares her own awakening journey. From years spent in the Australian bush with her partner and non-dual teacher, Roger Costello, to the heartbreak that led her to Bali, Lisa recounts the life-altering experiences that shattered her concept of self and revealed infinite love. This raw, relatable conversation is an invitation to step beyond the illusions of the mind, question what’s real, and awaken to the limitless essence of Beingness. If you’ve ever felt the call to wake up, this is the episode for you.

For the past 11 years, Lisa Cairns has traveled around the world, sharing the Indian philosophy of Non-duality. She has spoken in the UK’s National Health Care System, book shops, yoga centers, universities, conference centers, festivals and more.

In her talks, Lisa tries to communicate the limitless nature of life, which she considers is at the root of every philosophy, religion or story. She hopes to open doors for anyone who wants to listen, providing a broader perspective on life.

Episode Highlights

• A transformative LSD experience and its connection to meditation
• Exploring the role of psychedelics in personal awakening
• Navigating the dual experiences of oneness and confronting the shadow self
• The interplay between intense emotions and the awakening process
• How societal roles can suppress individual authenticity and deep needs
• Defining consciousness as a balance of beingness and perception
• The significance of shadow work in the context of non-duality
• The relationship between anger, boundaries, and personal growth
• The challenge of navigating social dynamics post-awakening
• Closing reflections on the journey toward self-discovery and love

Lisa Cairns’ Links 

• Website: www.lisacairns.com
• YouTube: Lisa Cairns
• Facebook: Lisa Cairns

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Indian Advaita Teacher: Ramesh Balsekar
• Spiritual Teacher: Adyashanti

Simeon Schnapper's passion and expertise span over 30 years in the fields of research, philanthropy, advocacy, policy, criminal justice reform, and the science of psychedelics. He provides valuable guidance to a wide range of organizations, including non-profits, psychedelic and impact startups, family offices, heads of state, royalty, and several newly formed governments. He co-founded JLS Fund, a groundbreaking VC in this field, and spearheaded the world's inaugural Psychedelic Investment Summit at the start of the decade.

Simeon's companies have been recipients of John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation awards and he is an Aspen Institute Fellow. While embracing a global outlook of impact, and when not living on airplanes visiting portfolio companies he splits his time between Manhattan, Montenegro, and West and Central Africa.

Episode Highlights

• The intersection of psychedelics and mystical traditions
• Simeon’s vast experience with a wide range of psychedelics
• A recent trip to Africa to work on political agreements and research indigenous plant medicines
• Simeon’s entrepreneurial journey
• Current demand and the impact of psychedelic clinics on mental health
• The potential of non-invasive neuromodulation technologies that mimic psychedelics
• The balance between society’s need for healing and the business of psychedelics
• Self-exploration as a driving force behind psychedelic use
• The complexities of universal human desires and societal pressures
• The impact of psychedelics on understanding the ‘self’ identity
• The growing homogenization of human experiences across cultures
• Reflections on the joy of solving complex global issues
• Closing thoughts on the quest for consciousness and connection

Simeon Schnapper’s Links 

• Website: www.jls.fund
• LinkedIn: JLS Fund

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Neuroscientist: Dr. Gül Dölen
• Tech Entrepreneur and Biohacker: Nick Murray
• Best-selling Author: Ray Kurzweil
• Book: Awareness: Conversations with the Masters by Anthony De Mello

Kayse Gehret is one of the most highly regarded, sought-after guides for the Medicine of the Moment: Microdosing Earth Medicine practice. Founded in 2020 and grounded in a nearly three-decade career in the healing arts, the Microdosing for Healing platform, program and community has served over 900+ diverse individuals around the globe.

In addition to founding Microdosing for Healing and the Microdosing for Healing Podcast, Kayse guides the Microdosing Mastermind for Healing Artists, an exclusive mastermind for wellness professionals incorporating microdosing into their professional practices.

Episode Highlights

• The rise of microdosing and its growing mainstream acceptance
• The importance of re-education around microdosing practices
• The focus on psilocybin and its potential alongside other medicines
• The significance of The Eagle and The Condor Prophecy
• Michaela’s profound personal experience during a microdosing journey
• Insights on the collective capacity for feeling and processing emotions
• The importance of emotional capacity when starting microdosing
• How microdosing can catalyze unexpected healing and growth
• The interplay between science and personal experience in healing
• Launching a podcast to amplify underrepresented voices in psychedelics
• The dynamic relationship between set, setting, and psychedelic experiences
• The influence of energetic sites on personal transformation
• The importance of resourcing and preparation for microdosing
• Future possibilities and the evolution of diverse practices in the psychedelic space

Kayse Gehret’s Links 

• Website: www.microdosingforhealing.com
• Website: www.kaysegehret.com
• Instagram: @kaysegehret
• Facebook: Microdosing for Healing

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Expert-informed Psychedelic Media and Education: Psychedelics Today
• Neuroscientist: Robin Carhart-Harris

Kayse Gehret’s Gift to You

• Beginners to microdosing practice are invited to access Kayse’s FREE Microdosing for Personal Growth, Healing and Creativity on her website

Amy Frankel is a Feminine Embodiment Coach and Rites of Passage Guide. She holds a masters degree in public health and serves as a senior healthcare consultant and it’s also a former fashion industry executive, group fitness instructor, traveler, and shoemaker. Frankel is an autoimmune warrioress dedicated to helping women overcome chronic illness, insomnia, anxiety, and burnout to feel the truth, pleasure, and joy that lie within. She’s a married midlife mom of 2 young girls and with her family.

J. Sema is a Core Energetics healer and a Couples and Family therapist. She’s a single mom of one child, age 8. She had a later in life pregnancy, and motherhood has propelled her ambition for self-growth, amplifying how important it is to focus on personal evolution as an essential component of parenting.

Katie Moseley is a Psychic and Psychedelic Awakening Coach at Electric Katie Healings, LLC. She lives with her two daughters. She is also a Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling grad student at Naropa University. She has written two books that will be released in fall 2023.

Meredith Thomas is the Director of Philanthropy of Thank You LIfe: A Psychedelic Therapy Fund. She leads with her heart in whatever she is involved in, whether it is raising money for causes or teaching people how to connect with plants. Deeply convinced about the promise of psychedelics to alleviate suffering and elevate consciousness, Meredith is now an unstoppable advocate for democratizing this modality of healing by providing access to legal psychedelic therapy to those with financial barriers through the nonprofit Thank You Life.

Episode Highlights

• Amy Frankel shares her experience with microdosing psilocybin and how it has transformed her ability to be present and attentive to her children's needs. Through this practice, she has discovered a newfound sense of clarity and connection which has helped her learn to work with her triggers with more grace and intention. 
• J. Sema takes us on her personal journey as a mother and how a particular psilocybin experience guided her towards healing her relationship with men and masculinity and a deeper self-actualization. She emphasizes the ways in which this journey opened up immeasurable gratitude for the opportunity to be a Mom and how it has directly impacted the way she mothers.
• Katie Moseley shares her reasons for choosing to microdose psilocybin mushrooms and how this has helped her gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of compassion and empathy in our daily interactions. She also speaks to the significance of having a support system while working with psychedelics, highlighting the importance of guidance and community.
• Meredith Thomas recounts a mystical experience in which she felt a deep connection with the divine. Through integrating this journey, Meredith has gained a profound sense of wisdom and healing, recognizing the immense potential for growth and transformation that lies within the psychedelic experience. She encourages listeners to embrace the unknown and trust in the process, for it is through this surrender that true healing and growth can occur.

Guests’ Links 

• Amy Frankel: www.amyfrankel.com
• J. Sema: www.thebodyasanally.com
• Katie Moseley: www.electrickatieland.com

Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, a board-certified psychiatrist and neuroscientist, is the co-founder & Chief Medical Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, the first scientifically-validated wearable system to improve heart rate variability, focus, relaxation, and access to meditative states by delivering gentle layered vibrations to the skin. In addition to his clinical psychiatry practice, Dr. Rabin is also the Executive Director of The Board of Medicine, and a psychedelic clinical researcher currently evaluating the mechanism of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in treatment-resistant mental illnesses.

Episode Highlights

• Exploring the concept of a collective nervous system in heightened stress
• Understanding different types of stress: eustress vs. distress
• The critical role of perspective in interpreting stressful events and outcomes
• Understanding the body's inability to differentiate between physical and mental stress
• The influence of epigenetics and trauma on inherited stress responses
• Research insights into how trauma alters epigenetic codes related to stress
• The therapeutic potential of psychedelics in rewiring stress responses and facilitating emotional healing
• The necessity of relearning safety for effective psychedelic therapy and healing outcomes
• Utilizing breath and touch as foundational practices for calming the nervous system
• Preparing individuals for post-therapy challenges after psychedelic experiences
• Comparing MDMA therapy to cleaning emotional wounds in a safe environment
• The importance of integration and ongoing support for lasting benefits of psychedelic therapy
• Development of the Apollo Neuro wearable to enhance feelings of safety and support during stress
• How the wearable utilizes vibrations to mimic the calming effects of touch
• Previewing a discussion of the connections between safety, intimacy, and relationships in a future episode

Dr. David Rabin’s Links 

• Website: www.drdave.io
• Website: www.apolloneuro.com
• Website: www.boardofmedicine.org
• Instagram: @drdavidrabin
• Facebook: Dave Rabin
• LinkedIn: David Rabin MD, PhD

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Wearable Technology for Well-being: Apollo Nuero
• Research: The Molecular Biology of Memory Storage: A Dialogue Between Genes and Synapses by Eric R. Kandel
• Study: MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Treatment of PTSD

Dr. David Rabin’s Special Offer to You

• A discount on Apollo Neuro wearable. If you are interested, please reach out at: [email protected]

Nick Murray is a researcher and advocate at the intersection of psychedelics, artificial intelligence, and mental health innovation. With a deep curiosity for understanding human consciousness and leveraging cutting-edge technology, Nick is dedicated to expanding access to revolutionary therapeutic models. His work focuses on integrating AI and research into the development of novel treatments and enhancing the field of psychedelic therapy. Driven by a passion for human advancement, Nick seeks to create pathways for new approaches to mental health and well-being, offering hope and healing for those in need.

Episode Highlights

• The unique combination of a psychedelic medical clinic and retreat center for holistic healing
• Exploring hormone regulation in traumatic brain injury and its impact on mental health
• Data collection methods before and during retreats, including EEG and blood tests
• Nick's personal journey into psychedelics and holistic health
• Leveraging neuroplasticity and neurogenesis following psilocybin treatment
• The effects of binaural beats on brainwave states 
• Personalized audio playlists to enhance the psychedelic experience
• A veteran's remarkable recovery through psilocybin therapy
• Addressing the risks of psychedelic experiences and the importance of set and setting
• Advocating for research-driven approaches to psychedelics
• The complexities of drug legalization and its implications for mental health
• Decriminalization models and their societal impacts
• A call for open-mindedness and further research into psychedelics' therapeutic potential

Nick Murray’s Links 

• Website: www.wake.net
• Instagram: @wake.well

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Documentary: Peace of Mind
• Meditation Technology: Holosync
• Clinical Trial: Music as an Intervention to Improve the Hemodynamic Response of Ketamine in Depression by Dr. Kyle Greenway
• Free Resource for Biomedical and Life Sciences Literature: PubMed

Nick Murray’s Gift to You

• 35% OFF for listeners using ‘DELICMOM’ code

Katherine MacLean, PhD is a writer, research scientist, mother and adventure-seeker. She has spent the past two decades studying the effects of mindfulness meditation and psychedelics, surviving motherhood, and learning a lot about death and grief. Her debut book covering all of this terrain, Midnight Water: A Psychedelic Memoir is available in print and audio formats.

Episode Highlights

• Katherine reflects on her journey through motherhood and encounters with death
• A childhood fascination with graveyards and their connection to history
• Transformative psilocybin experiences that opened new dimensions of reality
• Exploring the intersection of spirituality and psychedelics in various traditions
• The role of meditation in navigating consciousness and personal growth
• The impact of her sister's death on Katherine’s exploration of grief and psychedelics
• Insights from Johns Hopkins research on consciousness and spiritual experiences
• Cultural narratives around psychedelics and their potential for healing
• The intertwining of motherhood and psychedelic experiences in Katherine’s life
• Addressing personal trauma as a crucial step before engaging with psychedelics
• Reframing death as a transformative experience akin to psychedelic journeys
• Societal perceptions of death and the need for open dialogues about mortality
• Embracing life’s complexities and authenticity in motherhood and mortality
• Personal agency in death care and the importance of meaningful rituals
• The impact of psychedelics on relationships and deeper connections with others
• Katherine’s writing journey and the importance of sharing her memoir
• Future implications of psychedelic research for mental health and spirituality
• Embracing complexity and ongoing self-discovery

Katherine MacLean’s Links 

• Website: www.katherinemaclean.org
• Instagram: @katherine.maclean.phd

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Book: Midnight Water: A Psychedelic Memoir by Katherine MacLean
• Advocate for Funeral Industry Reform: Caitlin Doughty
• Study of the Effect of Meditation Practice: The Shamatha Project
• Green Funeral Home Specialized in Human Composting: Recompose
• The Crestone End of Life Project: Open Air Cremation Site

Katherine MacLean’s Special Offer

• For only $5, you will be able to view and download two high-quality videos of Katherine’s 16-minute guided meditations

Dr. Dan Engle is a psychiatrist with a clinical practice that combines aspects of regenerative medicine, psychedelic research, integrative spirituality, and peak performance.

His medical degree is from the University of Texas in San Antonio. His psychiatry residency degree is from the University of Colorado in Denver, and his child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship degree is from Oregon Health & Science University.

Dr. Engle is an international consultant to several global healing centers facilitating the use of long-standing indigenous plant medicines for healing and awakening. He is the founder of Full Spectrum Medicine, a psychedelic integration and educational platform; and Thank You Life, a non-profit funding stream supporting access to psychedelic therapies.

Dr. Engle is the author of The Concussion Repair Manual: A Practical Guide to Recovering from Traumatic Brain Injuries, as well as his new book, A Dose of Hope: A Story of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Episode Highlights

• Dr. Dan’s shift from conventional psychiatry to psychedelic medicine
• Healing generational trauma in service to future generations
• A broken neck and a life-changing realization about authenticity and purpose
• Dr. Dan’s first ayahuasca experience and its profound impact on his life
• Lessons from the jungle: learning to listen deeply through plant medicine
• Preparing for transformation: tools to regulate the mind and body during healing
• How ayahuasca’s teachings align with modern scientific discoveries
• Finding your dharma: aligning with your unique purpose in life
• Personal loss as a catalyst for expanding the psychedelic healing mission
• The web of life and our shared responsibility to embrace interconnection
• Infusing life with meaning through daily practices
• Navigating identity shifts on the spiritual path and redefining relationships
• Building compassion by understanding others' lived experiences and struggles

Dr. Dan’s Links

• Website: www.drdanengle.com
• Website: www.thankyoulife.org
• Website: www.fullspectrummedicine.com

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
• Book: The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk
• Book: The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True Calling by Stephen Cope
• Book: The Biology of Transcendence: A Blueprint of the Human Spirit by Joseph Chilton Pearce
• Book: Dark Night of the Soul by John of the Cross
• Film: Neurons to Nirvana (2013)
• Spiritual Writer: Thomas Moore

Steve Rolles is the Senior Policy Analyst for the Transform Drug Policy Foundation, where he has worked for over 20 years on drug policy and law reform analysis and advocacy, promoting more just and effective drug policies that center public health, human rights and sustainable development. This work includes lead authorship on numerous reports, academic papers, and books, including How to Regulate psychedelics: A Practical Guide. He has served as an adviser and lead drafter for the Global Commission on Drugs, and is acting as a consultant on drug policy and regulation for several European Governments and UN agencies.

Episode Highlights

• The importance of understanding the diverse motivations behind psychedelic use
• The need for inclusive drug policy that addresses all forms of psychedelic use
• Steve's extensive background in drug policy reform and shifts in public perception
• The resistance from drug enforcement professionals against policy change
• Political ramifications of drug narratives and fear-based rhetoric
• The recent FDA rejection of MDMA for PTSD and its implications
• The media’s focus on clinical research rather than recreational psychedelic use
• The need for a balanced approach to drug policy that recognizes both therapeutic and recreational use
• A four-tiered model for regulating psychedelics, emphasizing decriminalization
• The importance of harm reduction strategies for safe psychedelic use in social settings
• A comparison between the successful decriminalization of drugs in Portugal with the challenges of decriminalization efforts in Oregon
• Advocating for a public health oriented approach to drug policy and the failures of punitive measures
• The relative safety of psychedelics compared to more dangerous substances like opioids and stimulants
• A call for the psychedelic community to engage in broader drug law reform efforts

Steve Rolles’ Links 

• Website: www.transformdrugs.org
• Instagram: @transformdrugs
• Facebook: Transform
• X: @stevetransform

Resources Mentioned in this Episode

• Book: NoNonsense Legalizing Drugs: How to End The War by Steve Rolles
• Book: How to Regulate Stimulants by Transform Drug Policy Foundation

Steve Rolles’ Gift to You

• Get Steve’s book for FREE: How to Regulate Psychedelics: A Practical Guide

Anne Kiehl Friedman is an award-winning author, founder, and communications expert based in Washington, DC. She recently published Higher Love: A Psychedelic Travel Memoir of Heartbreak and Healing, which debuted as a #1 New Release on Amazon in Medicine & Psychology. Called “a memoir that’ll have you traveling, tripping, and seeing yourself in the passenger seat of a meaningful story of discovery,” by the Independent Book Review, it is changing the conversation on women and psychedelics.

Anne began her career in communications as a speechwriter/ghostwriter for prominent names in politics and Hollywood before starting Bold Ink, a strategic communications consultancy for non-profits. She graduated from Stanford University with honors and obtained her MBA from ESADE University in Spain. Anne is a passionate advocate for holistic well-being and spiritual growth and was ordained as an Interfaith Minister and Reverend after attending seminary at the Berkeley Chaplaincy Institute.

In 2023, identifying an unfilled need for better mainstream understanding of psychedelics and their healing potential, Anne co-founded The Psychedelic Communications Hub, a non-profit public engagement organization focused on public education and advocacy.

Episode Highlights

• Life’s “blender moments”: how illness and breakups forced deep self-reflection and transformation
• Vulnerability in writing: Anne reflects on societal expectations and internalized self-worth struggles
• Identifying healthy love versus control 
• How maternal messages about self-image are passed down across generations
• Choosing self-love and autonomy rather than relying on romantic validation
• Reconnecting with the body and releasing stored trauma 
• Living “in the middle”: balancing intellect with openness to the body’s wisdom
• Advocating for psychedelics to address mental health and systemic issues of loneliness and disconnection
• How Anne’s first psychedelic experience with her Dad brought moments of unfiltered joy and healing
• Embracing laughter as healing—why joy is inherently therapeutic
• Understanding shame’s place in relationship
• Recognizing signs of relational safety and respect through emotional responses and repair
• The Psychedelic Communications Hub’s mission to support safe, responsible psychedelic practices
• Ego dissolution and identity challenges in psychedelic experiences
• Western framing of psychedelics as solely medical, and the risk of joyless healing

Anne Kiehl Friedman’s Links

• Website: www.annekiehlfriedman.com
• Instagram: @annekiehl
• LinkedIn: Anne Friedman 

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Book: Higher Love: A Psychedelic Travel Memoir of Heartbreak and Healing by Anne Kiehl Friedman 
• Book: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle  
• Book: A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle 
• Book: Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life by  Jon Kabat-Zinn 
• Book: Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert

Anne Kiehl Friedman’s Gift to You

• 40% OFF for her book: Higher Love: A Psychedelic Travel Memoir of Heartbreak and Healing