The Intelligent Rebellion Rhea Mercado

In 2023, Australia became the first country in the world to legalise the use of psychedelics to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. Welcome to Episode #31 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast. Sporulation, Psychedelics and Healthcare. 

In this episode of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, I chat with Melissa Errey, founder of Sporulation Art Exhibition and healthcare professional, and Voytek Bereza, a Neuropsychopharmacist Prescriber and founder of The Transparent Company.

In this episode:


About the Sporulation Art Exhibition (23 April 2024 to 5 May 2024)
The role of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental health conditions
Introspection, Intuition and psychedelics
Psychedelic experiences during a trip and percolation from unconscious to the conscious mind
Emergence of clinical research trials and harm minimisation

July 1st 2023 is when Australia became the first country in the world to legalise the use of psychedelics to treat some mental health conditions. From July 1st 2023 psychiatrists were authorised to prescribe products containing 3,4‑methylenedioxy‑methamphetamine (MDMA) or psilocybin for use in psychedelic assisted psychotherapy to treat specific mental health conditions.  

MDMA may be prescribed for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psilocybin may be prescribed for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). For these specific uses, psilocybin and MDMA have been listed as Schedule 8 (Controlled Drugs) medicines in the Poisons Standard.

To be able to prescribe MDMA or psilocybin for these conditions, a psychiatrist must be an Authorised Prescriber (AP) under the TGA’s Authorised Prescriber scheme. Before seeking approval to be an AP, the psychiatrist must first obtain approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

It was quite serendipitous that I was to meet Melissa Errey in October 2023, only three months later. It’s turns out, Melissa a health professional by day, and an artist by night was already part of a community of people from all walks of life, who were exploring and discussing the role of psychedelics in healthcare and in medicine.

Melissa Errey: Linkedin 

Sporulation Exhibition: Sporulation Exhibition | Instagram | Facebook | Linkedin

Voytek Bereza: Linkedin | The Transparent Company and on Linkedin 

Sporulation Events & Tickets


EMPATHS: Integrative Psychedelic Somatic Psychotherapy
Workshops: Psychedelic Trees, Fungi and Cacti Workshops
Australian Psychedelic Society – Sydney Chapter Picnic

More information:


Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Australia: legal treatment options, clinical research trials and harm minimisation
Therapeutic Goods Admistration Change to classification of psilocybin and MDMA to enable prescribing by authorised psychiatrists

Bits & Pieces: The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Will is our Emperor of Sound, Executive Producer. Theme Song and Original Music written and performed by Will.

Follow us on all the socials. Instagram: @intelligent.rebellion

Rhea Mercado on Instagram: @rheamercs | Linkedin 

Copyright 2023 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The content of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part

Content Warning: Before we begin, we want to let you know that this episode contains discussions about the sensitive topic of sexual abuse. Please prioritise your health and well-being, and if this is an episode you choose to skip, we’ll see you at the next one.

Welcome to episode 30 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast: Let's Talk About Sex. Our guest is Saul Isbister, President of Touching Base Inc  A volunteer-run, not-for-profit organisation, developed out of the need to assist people with disability and sex workers to connect with each other, focusing on access, discrimination, human rights and legal issues and the attitudinal barriers that these two marginalised communities can face.

Since episode 19 when Anjelo Ratnachandra and I touched on the subject of intimacy, sex, and chronic pain, I’ve continued to wonder and be curious about the topic of intimacy and sex, particularly in the personal injury and disability space. Healthcare professionals and rehab people are always going on about holistic care, and a biopsychosocial approach, and, a part of that is acknowledging that sexual and physical intimacy are at the core to the human experience.

In this episode, Saul and Rhea discuss:


Touching Base Inc, its origin story, vision, mission, and values.
What are sex work services, and how people can access the service.
The challenges Touching Base face in achieving their mission.
What Saul is hopeful and optimistic about.

Touching Base Inc: Website | NDIS & sex work resource | Scarlet Road Documentary

Instagram: Sexuality Education, Counselling, and Consultancy Agency @secca_org | Undressing Disability @undressingdisability

Bits and pieces: The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Will is our Emperor of Sound, Executive Producer. Theme Song and Original Music written and performed by Will.

Follow us on all the socials. Instagram: @intelligent.rebellion

Rhea Mercado on Instagram: @rheamercs | Linkedin 

Copyright 2024 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

This episode and any other episode of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast should not be taken as legal advice. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Regardless of your sentiments towards artificial intelligence technology, it is now an integral part of our daily lives. AI tools and technology are actively employed in the field of medicine and healthcare, revolutionising how professionals evaluate, diagnose, analyse, and ultimately prescribe treatments and medical interventions.

Welcome to episode 029 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast: Exploring Ethical A.I. in Healthcare. Our guest is Alison Choy Flannigan, Partner & Co-Lead at Hall & Wilcox law firm. With over 25 years of corporate, commercial and regulatory experience, Alison has specialised in advising clients in the health, aged care, disability, life sciences and community sectors.

In 2023, our host, Rhea Mercado attended the National Health Workforce Summit, in which Alison Choy Flannigan was a panel member in "Addressing Health Workforce challenges in the Digital Age: Deeper dive on Artificial Intelligence."

Regardless of your sentiments towards artificial intelligence technology, it is now an integral part of our daily lives. AI tools and technology are actively employed in the field of medicine and healthcare, revolutionising how professionals evaluate, diagnose, analyse, and ultimately prescribe treatments and medical interventions.

In this episode, Alison and Rhea discuss:


Key ethical considerations when using AI technology and tools in the healthcare space
Data handling, personal information, and intellectual property when using AI technology and tools
Are AI technology and tools medical devices?
Considerations for healthcare providers and companies when incorporating technologies like AI, devices, and apps into their organisations.

Hall & Wilcox: Linkedin | Hall & Wilcox 

Alison Choy Flannigan | Linkedin | Hall & Wilcox - Alison Choy Flannigan

Bits and pieces: The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Will is our Emperor of Sound, Executive Producer. Theme Song and Original Music written and performed by Will.

Follow us on all the socials. Instagram: @intelligent.rebellion

Rhea Mercado on Instagram: @rheamercs | Linkedin 

Copyright 2024 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The contents of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, legal advice, financial advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances and specific needs.

This episode and any other episode of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast should not be taken as legal advice. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.

 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Exercise Physiology Services fall outside the scope of regulation of The National Law, rendering certain provisions of the law inapplicable to this profession. Nonetheless, every person as an individual is subject to the laws of the land.Welcome to Episode #28 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast. Lawyer Up! with Tyrone Walker, Special Counsel at Hunt & Hunt.

Howdy Folks, Rhea here. In late 2023, I was engaged in a Facebook forum thread. I don’t usually enjoy having nuanced discussions over social media comment sections, so I bowed out after a few exchanges. My entry point into the thread was regarding the use of the word “specialist,” and the discussion went to whether exercise physiologists were subject to The Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, which is a nationally consistent law which was passed in QLD and enacted in states and territories in 2009 and 2010. From here on I’ll just refer to it as The National Law. 

One side of the discussion was that exercise physiologists were not subject to The National Law, I agreed that, yes, Exercise Physiology Services fall outside the scope of regulation of The National Law, rendering certain provisions of the law inapplicable to this profession. Nonetheless, every person as an individual is subject to the laws of the land. As I dove straight down the legal rabbit hole, I found more questions than answers, and that’s when I turned to Tyrone Walker, Special Counsel at Hunt & Hunt in NSW.

Find Tyrone Walker | Linkedin | Hunt & Hunt 

The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Will s our Emperor of Sound, Executive Producer. Theme Song and Original Music written and performed by Will.

Follow us on all the socials. Instagram: @intelligent.rebellion

Rhea Mercado on Instagram: @rheamercs | Linkedin 

Copyright 2024 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The content of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

This episode and any other episode of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast should not be taken as legal advice. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Episode #27 of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast. And the winner is…

In this episode of The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast, I chat with Sarena Jones, founder of the Allied Health Awards, who is also style guru as it turns out. This episode also features two winners, firstly, Taylia Reedy, winner of the Outstanding Student of the year award at the ARPA NSW Excellence in Workplace Rehabilitation Awards who shares her story about working in a rural and remote setting. Secondly, we have Allied Health Awards Dietician of the year 2023, Catherine Chong who absolutely blows my mind about nutrition and fertility.

NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBERS: Check your inbox for the link to the bonus full length episode with Catherine Chong.

Visit www.theintelligentrebellion.com and subscribe to gain access to premium content.

Find our Guests

Sarena Jones | Linkedin  | Instagram @alliedhealthawards | Allied Health Awards 

Taylia Reedy | Linkedin  | Instagram @t_ann06 | ipar 

Catherine Chong | Website | Linkedin | | Instagram | Youtube | Free Meal Plan

Bits & Pieces: The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Executive Producer, Emperor of Sound, Original Music: Wills

Follow us on all the socials

Rhea Mercado on Instagram: @rheamercs | Linkedin 

Instagram: @intelligent.rebellion

Copyright 2023 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The content of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For nearly two decades, the exercise physiology community has advocated for a change in the legislation to ensure fair and equitable access to healthcare services for the Australian Community.

Welcome to The Intelligent Rebellion podcast, hosted by Rhea Mercado, Healthcare Humanist, Speaker and Author. @rheamercs 

Subscribers of The Intelligent Rebellion newsletter have access the extended version of this episode which includes the full interview with Dr Felix Meyer. Check your inbox. 

For more than two decades, there has been a tax imposed on the Australian community making access to some healthcare services more expensive than others. This is the Goods & Services Tax or the (GST). When this tax was introduced in Australia in July 2000 it exempted multiple healthcare services like hospitals, aged care, disability,  general health and allied health services from applying GST to their services, however, other medical services including EP, music therapists, psychotherapists, counsellors and diabetes educators were not included in the exemption.

For nearly two decades, the exercise physiology community has advocated for a change in the legislation to ensure fair and equitable access to healthcare services for the Australian Community. For nearly two decades, the community have been meeting with politicians, writing letters, and signing petitions.

Rhea sat down with David Beard, an exercise physiologist, and Dr Felix Meyer a representative of Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA), the professional association for exercise physiologist to discuss why it’s so important for EP services to be GST-free, how GST-free services benefit the Australian community, and what in the world is it taking so long?

Find David Beard | Linkedin | https://www.davidbeard.co | https://www.hfrc.com.au | X / Twitter

Find Dr Felix Meyer | Linkedin | felix.meyer@essa.org.au | https://essa.org.au 

Contact your local member https://www.aph.gov.au/senators_and_members/members

Bits & Pieces: The The Intelligent Rebellion Podcast is a Threesticks Production | Producer & Host: Rhea Mercado | Executive Producer, Emperor of Sound, Original Music: Wills

Follow Rhea on all the socials @rheamercs

Copyright 2023 Rhea Mercado® | Threesticks Pty Ltd | The Intelligent Rebellion

Disclaimer: The content of this program / podcast is made available for entertainment purposes. The views and information expressed by the Guests of the program represents the view and opinions of the Guest and does not necessarily represent the view or opinions of Rhea Mercado® and/or Threesticks Pty Ltd. The information presented in this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any other professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment nor a substitute for guidelines, legislations, frameworks, processes or procedures. We encourage you always seek advice which meets your personal and/or professional circumstances.

Rhea Mercado® and Threesticks Pty Ltd hereby disclaims any and all liability to any part for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential damages arising directly or indirectly from any use of the content, which is provided as is and without warranties.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.