Mangu.TV Podcast Giancarlo Canavesio

We are delighted to introduce the first episode of an Astrology Series on the Mangu.tv podcast, with guest Robert Mitchell.

Robert Mitchell is a religious and Jungian scholar, a Western psychedelic lineage holder, an astrologer, a practical mystic, a podcaster, and a writer.  He received an undergraduate degree in Religious Studies from Syracuse University and a Masters in Counseling from The California Institute of Integral Studies. For thirty years, he has worked worldwide to strengthen people’s relationships with the transpersonal intelligence that animates their lives. He uses tools of Western esoterica that include astrology, psychedelics, meditation and dreaming.  His specific interest is working with the unique structure of the consciousness of the individual, while demythologizing the psychedelic experience, removing the need to fetishize it or make it something exotic. His motto is: “People don’t need to use more Paychedelics, they need to be more Psychedelic. 

In the first episode of this Astrology series, Robert introduces its origins, his work within Astrology and the people who influenced him. He discusses the significance of each person's birth chart and how one's life is mapped out at birth and is not random. 

Robert and Giancarlo pick two popular figures; Elon Musk and Taylor Swift. Robert discusses each birth chart and looks at how it informs the way that they move through the world. He explains in detail how planetary alignment at birth can create potential challenges and positive attributes in each birth chart.

We are delighted to host John Wolfstone for this episode of the Mangu.tv podcast series.

John is an Initiatory Witch, Emergence Facilitator, Wilderness Guide and Transmedia Bard focused on the work of cultural redemption. Holding space for the great grief of our times, he designs and facilitates rituals and rites of transformation, in service to regulating the personal and collective nervous systems back to belonging with the Earth. In 2021, John co-founded The School of Mythopoetics dedicated to the Initiation of Soul. In 2024, his decade-long award-winning documentary, The Village of Lovers, about the Tamera Peace Village in Portugal premiered globally alongside A Cry From the Future Visionary Gathering he co-produced. 

John speaks about his upbringing in rural Colorado, and as a teen, in the ‘culturally insulated’ US during the punk movement, and experimenting with psychedelics, influencing both his anti-authoritarian view and his connection to earth. He shares the synchronicities that led him on a life-changing solo trip to Central America for 4 months of heart-led backpacking and, his current life path.  

Giancarlo and John discuss mythology & eros, they speak about ways of opening up to spirit and cosmic guidance. They discuss relational repair and holding space for our pain, and its potency to open up space for spiritual guidance and the soul journey. They speak about rites of passage and the initiations humans experience in their lives, as well as understanding emotions from a mythical perspective not just a psychoanalytical one. 

We are delighted to host Dimitri Mugianis for this episode on the Mangu.tv podcast series. 

Dimitri, a noted harm reduction advocate, psychedelic practitioner, musician, writer, and community organizer, revolutionized heroin addiction treatment in the U.S. using Ibogaine, despite its legal status. His unique approach combines traditional ibogaine ceremony elements with Western medical safety protocols, highlighted in the documentary "I’m Dangerous With Love." His work has garnered global research interest and acceptance in some medical circles.

Mugianis has conducted over 500 Ibogaine ceremonies and thousands using sound, art, psychedelics like Psilocybin and MDMA, focusing on psychological healing and spiritual awakenings. With 20 years in the psychedelic field, he's recognized for his expertise and contributions to harm reduction. Co-founding a holistic program at New York Harm Reduction Educators (NYHRE), he integrates various therapies for marginalized groups, demonstrating his commitment to innovative and compassionate care.

Dimitri shares his story growing up in Detroit, childhood traumas, as a teen, heavy drug use and life as a punk musician, and later his struggle with Heroin addiction as a young adult in New York. He talks about his transformative experience, healing his addiction with Ibogaine and how it informed his life path helping others to overcome addiction. 

Giancarlo and Dimitri discuss the subjective nature of healing from addiction, and how psychedelics, art, sound and support can help with harm reduction. Dimitri talks about his work in harm reduction and the value of a community space and compassionate team to support those suffering with addiction.

We are excited to host Richard Grossman on this episode of the mangu.tv podcast series.  

In part caused by an early childhood trauma, Dr. Richard Grossman has been dedicated to healing since an early age. His spiritual search also started early. By age 15, he had concluded that his only reason to be alive was to help others out of their suffering. To aid this goal, he became a Doctor of Oriental Medicine in 1983. During this time, he was introduced to the world of plant medicines, especially Ayahuasca. Now, his work is a unique combination of traditional Amazonian shamanism, deep energetic healing, and sound healing. His soon-to-be-published book, The Medicine of Your Life, explores this journey in depth. He is also exploring the healing power of visual images with the use of AI. 

Richard speaks about his upbringing and his fascination with plant medicine. He shares the impact of losing his uncle at a young age, his struggles to comprehend death, and the conclusion to spend his life helping people to heal. He speaks about his first experiences with plant medicines such as mushrooms and peyote, and how plants accelerated his growth and led to his interest and life's work with acupuncture and Ayahuasca. 

Giancarlo and Richard discuss consciousness, the mind, plant medicine, technology and mystical experiences, as well as the power of plant medicine to support communities. Richard shares his intention to continue working with medicine to heal religious and social divides.

We are excited to host Dr. Jack Allocca on this episode of the Mangu.tv podcast series. 

Jack is a research fellow at the University of Melbourne, studying altered states of consciousness using pharmacology, neuroimaging, and computational neuroscience. He founded Somnivore Pty Ltd, an AI data analytics company serving neuroscience laboratories. His research spans neuropharmacology, psychedelic science, sleep science, and consciousness research in wild species like bears, elephants and birds. Allocca has personally tested over 100 psychotropic substances and explored over 80 countries, speaking and consulting on psychedelic science, philosophy of mind, biohacking, AI, and their societal implications. His work has been featured in various media outlets, including print, video, and radio.

Jack discusses his upbringing in Italy and the cathartic moment that led him to a lifetime of inquiry into altered states of consciousness, neuroscience and psychotropic substances. He hares stories of extended travel and research during his studies, and investigation into the human psyche - experimenting with everything from meditation and psychedelics to extreme diets, religion and joining the sex industry  - each becoming integral to his PhD and future career. 

Giancarlo and Jack discuss collective consciousness and whether the world can ever really heal, looking at love, collective development and awareness vs. technology and war. 

Jack shares his intention and life's work, integrating his experiences to shape the future, and systems to help create a better living.

We are excited to host Betony Vernon for this episode on the Mangu.tv podcast series.

Daring, provocative and boundary-defying, Betony Vernon is an American-born designer, sexual anthropologist and author. Her aesthetic is formed by her explorations in spirituality, sex, sensuality and the erotic body realm. The development of her work is multidisciplinary, spanning sessions of practical teaching and curative sharing. The writing of her book The Boudoir Bible is currently translated into nine languages and the design of sublime objects, jewels, sculptures, furniture, objects, as well as happenings. In 2024 Betony will open the doors to a new experiential space in Italy, situated in an ancient building, restoration and preservation have been priorities for the past two years, most importantly, Betony has taken action in saving a piece of land around, which is building a community to preserve the negative impact of ecocide. Betony believes that to restore the soil is to restore the soul.  



Betony discusses her upbringing in the post-punk 1980s, her interest in philosophy and erotic literature and her life between Italy, Paris and London. She speaks about sexual liberation, and her work with jewellery, erotica and bondage, which was not easily accepted by mainstream outlets. 

Giancarlo and Betony discuss the power of play, and radical trust as a way to transcendence. Betony talks about shibari, bondage, the power of sex, and reasons it's so feared, as well as her cover shoots for The New York Times and work with sexual liberation and healing trauma.