In this episode, I talk with Gina Gratza, who specializes in psychedelic-assisted facilitation. In our conversation, Gina tells us about the many different organizations she is involved in and the work she does with them, including psychedelic integration and coaching, being an Oregon Psilocybin Facilitator, working with the Social Neuroscience and…

In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Robinson, the author of 14 books and a marriage and family therapist located in California. In our conversation, Jonathan tells us about his work in bringing together MDMA experiences and therapy. He discusses how his protocol is unique to other work being done with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by emphasi…

In this episode, I talk with Christi Meyers, the Founder and CEO of Flow Integrative, a ketamine infusion clinic in San Diego, California. In our conversation, Christi tells us about Flow Integrative as a form of practicing medicine that provides ketamine infusion therapy, as well as Flow Institute as an educational platform. She discusses the char…

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie. Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie have been working as underground facilitators of plant medicine for several years. In our conversation, they speak about how they were called to plant medicine and found each other through music. We also talk about opening up about facilitating plant medicine cere…

In this episode, I talk with Mariya Punay. Mariya is working towards becoming a licensed psychotherapist in California. In our conversation, Mariya speaks to the meticulous process of working on becoming licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and the many challenges she's faced throughout the process. She also speaks to the essential ne…

In this episode, I talk with Gina Giorgio. Gina wears many hats within the psychedelic space as founder of the North Carolina Psychedelic Policy Coalition, the Director of the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) Mentorship Pipeline, a Communications and Policy Specialist for NisonCo, a contributing writer for Psychedelic Spotlight, and the Fou…

In this episode, I talk with Sapha. He is a practicing Cuarandero and a Recovery Consultant at Sacred Rebels Recovery, a peer-led addiction recovery program for men housed at the Nihue Rao Spiritual Center in the Peruvian Amazon. In our conversation, Sapha highlights the uniqueness of Sacred Rebels in providing alternative recovery options for peop…

I interview Ryan Cragun, co-author of Beyond Doubt: The Secularization of Society, a new book that makes a compelling argument that secularization has indeed been happening, both in the United States and around the world. You can buy a copy of Beyond Doubt for yourself. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American Freethought on the intertub…

This episode is the second in our occasional “About Us” series, where we feature members of the Psychedelic Grad team. In this episode, Gabby sits down with Andrew Mcmillian, the Community Meetings Organizer at Psychedelic Grad. We talk about Andrew’s experiences in research labs at the University of South Florida (USF) while earning his Bachelor’s…

In this episode, I talk with Hadas Alterman. She is the Director of Government Affairs at the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA), which is working to build accessibility in clinical psychedelic therapy by establishing standards for training therapists to do this work. In our conversations, we talk about Hadas’ work with the Psych…

I interview Matt Johnson, whose new book How Hitchens Can Save the Left argues that the late Christopher Hitchens's staunch defense of classical liberalism is still useful, even 11 years after his death, in helping the American Left to resist some of its more illiberal tendencies. Buy a copy of How Hitchens Can Save the Left for yourself! Theme mus…

This episode is the first in our occasional “About Us” series, where we feature members of the Psychedelic Grad team. In this episode, Emma talks with me, Gabby Lehigh, Psychedelic Grad Co-founder and Curious to Serious co-host. We talk about my recent achievement of successfully defending my doctoral dissertation and getting my Ph.D. in Anthropolo…

I interview Joseph Monninger, a college professor and novelist who discovered, only three days after his retirement, that he had terminal lung cancer and likely only months to live. His memoir Goodbye to Clocks Ticking is a heartfelt, humanistic account of facing death and processing an unexpected reprieve. Buy a copy of Goodbye to Clocks Ticking f…

In this episode, I talk with Sam Banister. He is the co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer at Psylo, a biotech company in Australia that develops different classes of pharmaceutical psychedelics to help treat patients with serious mental health disorders. In our conversation, we talk about Sam’s journey into psychedelics by learning about Albert …

In this episode, we talk with Kaitlin Robertson. She is the CEO of Cacti Therapeutics, a biotech company developing FDA-approved psychedelic therapies for chronic pain and sexual dysfunction. Kaitlin received her Master’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and has professional experience in trauma care and business f…

I interview Bradley Onishi, cohost of the Straight White American Jesus podcast, and author of the new book Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—And What Comes Next. It's a terrifying look at the recent history of Christian nationalism and evangelical support for anti-democratic ideas. For more about Bradley and h…

I interview Daniel Sokatch, CEO of the New Israel Fund and author of Can We Talk about Israel? A Guide for the Curious, Confused, and Conflicted. Buy a copy of Can We Talk about Israel? for yourself. For more about the New Israel Fund, visit NIF.org. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American Freethought on the intertubes: Website: America…

I interview Emily Dreyfuss, co-author (with Dr. Joan Donovan and Brian Friedberg) of Meme Wars: The Untold Story of the Online Battles Upending Democracy in America. Buy a copy of Meme Wars for yourself. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American Freethought on the intertubes: Website: AmericanFreethought.com Twitter: @AMERFREETHOUGHT Face…

In this episode, I talk with Sa’ed Al-Olimat. He is the founder of PsiloHealth, co-founder and Board Director of the Psychedelic Pharmacists Association, and a community pharmacy manager at CVS. In our conversation, we talk about Sa’ed’s many roles in the psychedelic space, including founding Psilohealth, an organization dedicated to education, leg…

In this episode, I talk with Heather Wickman. She is the co-founder of Untethered with her husband, Colby. They offer unique integration services with horses and partner with organizations worldwide to offer plant medicine experiences for individual growth initiatives. In our conversation, we talk about Heather’s work in the corporate world as an e…

With less than two weeks to go before the midterms, I talk with David A. Hollinger, history professor at the University of California, Berkley, and author of Christianity's American Fate: How Religion Became More Conservative and Society More Secular. This timely new book explores how, while American culture remains overwhelmingly secular, evangeli…

In this episode, we talk with Steven Millar. He is a recent master’s graduate from Glasgow University and an aspiring psychedelic-assisted therapist. In our conversation, we talk about Steven’s academic experiences at Glasgow University, studying Philosophy and Spanish during his undergraduate and Psychology for his master’s degree. We also discuss…

In this episode, we talk with Daniel Tarockoff. He is a partner at Vine Ventures; an early-stage venture fund focused on psychedelics. In our conversation, we examine Daniel’s work at Vine Ventures. We also talk about venture capital funds, Vine Ventures' reciprocity pledge, and their fundraising efforts for MAPS. We also cover Daniel’s journey fro…

In this episode, we talk with Ryan “Ghenigho” Rich. He is the Founder and Ceremony and Detox Lead at Root Healing Iboga Retreats and Detox. In our conversation, we explore Ryan’s work at Root Healing. We talk about how Root Healing is unique by centering their Iboga retreats in Bwiti tradition while also exploring the scientific efficacy of Iboga. …

For this special episode, I'm joined by podcast co-founder and co-host emeritus David Driscoll. We talk about the recent disastrous Supreme Court rulings (Carson v Makin, Kennedy v Bremerton, and Dobbs v Jackson); the ramifications of the House Select Committee on the events of January 6, 2021; and possible Constitutional crises and other terrifyin…

In this episode, we talk to Christine Ziemer. Dr. Christine Ziemer is a professor of psychology at Missouri Western State University, faculty advisor of the SSDP Chapter, and excellent harm reductionist. Christine became interested in psychedelics and MAPS during her time in graduate school while working for her Ph.D. in psychology. Since then it h…

I interview Nadya Dutchin, the new Executive Director of the American Humanist Association. Our wide-ranging discussion includes her plans and hopes for the AHA; reaction to the gun massacres in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX; raising secular kids in the current social and political climate; the effect of the newly conservative Supreme Court on litigat…

I speak to two members of the leadership of the Association of Secular Elected Officials (ASEO), a new organization devoted to helping elected officials be authentic about their beliefs and ethics, and providing a forum for elected officials to connect with each other for education, support and fellowship. Leonard Pressberg is the founder and presi…

I interview Christopher M. Finan, Executive Director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, and author of the new book How Free Speech Saved Democracy: The Untold History of How the First Amendment Became an Essential Tool for Securing Liberty and Social Justice. Buy a copy of How Free Speech Saved Democracy for yourself! For more about Chri…

I interview Kevin Bolling, Executive Director of the Secular Student Alliance, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate high school and college students about the value of scientific reason and the intellectual basis of secularism in its atheistic and humanistic manifestations. We talk about how SSA was affected by the pandemic, about …

In this episode, we talk to Max C Wood. Max is a graduate student studying developmental neuroscience and psychopathology. Max spent last year studying at the Anna Freud Center in London, and is now currently at Yale - researching into the impact attachment styles have on a psychedelic treatment design. Broadly speaking, his passions lie in the int…

I interview Andrew Fiala about his new book Tyranny from Plato to Trump: Fools, Sycophants, and Citizens. It's an exploration of the psychological and social dynamics involving tyrants and would-be tyrants, their enablers, and the mobs who cheer them on. For more about Andrew visit AndrewFiala.com. Buy a copy of Tyranny from Plato to Trump here. Al…

In this episode, we talk with David Drapkin. He is the Director of Operations and Strategic Growth at Psychedelics Today. In our conversation, we explore David’s work at Psychedelics Today, including his role in creating Psychedelic Today’s newest course, Vital. We discuss David’s history in economics and how a near-death experience changed his pat…

In this episode, we talk with Sasha Cuff. He is a Somatic Relational Practitioner with Nectara. For the past 25 years, he has been sitting therapeutically with people with all types of trauma, tirelessly seeking to understand the roots of suffering and disease. He observed that while some people got better, many of them were not improving at all. T…

I interview Crawford Gribben, author of The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland, a fascinating history of the island from the late Roman Era through the rapid secularization of the 21st century. Buy a copy of The Rise and Fall of Christian Ireland for yourself! Follow Crawford on Twitter @GribbenC. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American…

On the tenth anniversary of the death of Christopher Hitchens, I talk with philosophy professor and fellow podcaster Ben Burgis about his new book Christopher Hitchens: What He Got Right, How He Went Wrong, and Why He Still Matters. Buy a copy of Ben's book Christopher Hitchens for yourself. For more about Ben visit BenBurgis.com. Check out Ben's p…

From Pepe the Frog to the kidding-not-kidding white power hand sign, conservatives are increasingly using "humor" and weird "inside jokes" to spread hate-speech, bigotry, and violent threats. The latest tiresome fad is the phrase "Let's Go Brandon," which is a not-so-thinly-veiled substitute for the more blunt "Fuck Joe Biden." Republican congressm…

In this episode, we talk with Jon Dean. He is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Brain Mechanisms of Pain & Health Laboratory at the University of California, San Diego. Jon obtained his Bachelor’s in Chemistry at Youngstown State University, and his Master’s and Ph.D. in Molecular & Integrative Physiology from the University of Michigan, where he studie…

I interview Duquesne law professor Bruce Ledewitz about his new book The Universe Is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life. Bruce is a secularist who nonetheless proposes that the current societal crisis in America (and perhaps the entire Western world) is rooted in the aftermath of what Neitzsche called "the Death of God." It's a co…

In this episode, we talk with Brian Pilecki. He is a psychologist and researcher at Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, and Training Center. Brian provides integration and harm reduction therapy for clients currently using psychedelics on their own. He is also involved in a clinical trial of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of soc…

I interview David G. McAfee about his new book Hi, I'm an Atheist!: What That Means and How to Talk About It with Others. Buy a copy of Hi, I'm an Atheist! for yourself. For more about David, follow him on Facebook. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American Freethought on the intertubes: Website: AmericanFreethought.com Twitter: @AMERFREE…

I interview Leigh Eric Schmidt, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis, and author of The Church of Saint Thomas Paine: A Religious History of American Secularism, which looks at the struggles of 19th century freethinkers to define themselves in contrast to traditional religion and traditional religious organizations. Buy a copy of The C…

In this episode, we talk with Alex Kahn. He recently received his MA in Music Therapy and Counseling from Drexel University. Alex is an advocate for integrating music therapy into psychedelic therapy. In our conversation, we cover how Alex’s experiences in playing music in mommy and me classes lead him to pursue a degree in music therapy. We also d…

I interview philosopher and author Thomas Cathcart about his new book There Is No God and Mary Is His Mother, a thought-provoking exploration aimed at ex-Christians and even atheists, which asks whether Christianity can be credible, meaningful, and practical absent the traditional theological formulas and doctrines. Buy a copy of There Is No God an…

I interview award-winning popular science writer Mary Roach about her new book Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law. It's a humorous look at the serious topic of human-animal conflict in an age of exploding population and global warming. Buy your very own copy of Fuzz. For more about Mary and her work visit MaryRoach.net. This was Mary's third appearan…

In this episode, we talk with Ben Hearn. Ben is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education & Supervision at the University of Cincinnati and a student at the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research. His work focuses on providing advocacy and education within the counseling profession regarding psychedelics and their potential use in therapy as…

In this episode, we talk with Jessica Cadoch. She is the Research and Operations Manager at Maya Public-benefit Corporation. Jessica is a liaison working to bridge the for-profit world with not-for-profit organizations while advocating for increased accessibility and knowledge on psychedelics for the general public. In our conversation, we cover ho…

I interview Harvard Professor Jennifer Hochschild about her new book Genomic Politics: How the Revolution in Genomic Science Is Shaping American Society. To buy a copy of Genomic Politics, click here. Plus: America is finally out of Afghanistan. Unfortunately, the chaotic end to US withdrawal will be an ongoing political controversy; and, of course…

I interview Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr. about his new book Christians Against Christianity, a scathing rebuke from a progressive Christian perspective against how (white) conservative Christians pursue political power while ignoring the central teachings of Jesus regarding love, mercy, tolerance, and justice. Plus: It looks like America is getting …

I interview Representative Jared Huffman (Democrat representing California's 2nd District), co-founder and co-chair of the Congressional Freethought Caucus. We talk about the origins, purpose, and recent activity of the Freethought Caucus; about perennial issues (like the national motto, the Pledge of Allegiance, legislative prayer, etc.) of concer…