Adventures Through The Mind

James W. Jesso
Adventures Through The Mind

Adventures Through The Mind is an interview-based podcast hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso. Although the show topics range---from spirituality, mental health, and emotional maturity; to love, relationships and sexuality; to history, philosophy, and neuroscience---there are two underlying themes that intersect them all: psychedelics & the mind. James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.

  1. The Conscious Intelligence Of Fungi | Nicholas P. Money ~ ATTMind 193

    DEC 13

    The Conscious Intelligence Of Fungi | Nicholas P. Money ~ ATTMind 193

    Become a Patreon to Receive Exclusive Content Stay In Contact Through Signing Up For James' Newsletter   EPISODE DETAILS Nicholas P. Money is Professor of Biology and Western Program Director at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. He is an international expert on fungal biology and author of popular science books that celebrate the microbial world including his most recent, Molds, Mushrooms, and Medicines: Our Lifelong Relationship with Fungi (2024) He joins us on the podcast to deep dive into the biology, ecology, and intelligence of fungi. We discuss the body and life cycle of mushrooming fungi; the shape and behaviour of mycelium; how fungi are more similar to humans than they are to plants; and even a critical take on the efficacy of so-called "functional mushrooms". We also explore the thesis he put forth in his 2021 paper, Hyphal and mycelial consciousness: the concept of the fungal mind. With that, we discuss fungi consciousness; the conscious intelligence of mycelium; how all organisms have consciousness; why science and society needs to NOT recognize the consciousness of non-human life; and whether our psilocybin experiences encounters with a fungal mind. We even get into debating the value of the human species on the other side of climate change. Enjoy! Full Show Notes, Links, and a Video Version of This Episode Can Be Found at Jameswjesso.com FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso ▷ Sponsor: HARMONIC ARTS PLANT MEDICINE Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off your First order *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C Another special thanks to Dane and TimeTG for their generous one-time donation. ... Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (03:13) Interview Begins (04:03) If you want to make your way through crisis, align yourself with the mushrooms (07:25) Debating the value of the human species (10:34) The value of humanity (12:09) Being able to experience happiness, even in the midst of ecological collapse (14:36) Humans as beauty sense organs for the earth (16:12) Is there such a thing as objective "good"? (19:20) The body and life cycle of mushrooming fungi (22:14) The many other forms of fungi (26:10) The shape of mycelium (29:56) The different between fungal hyphae and plant roots (34:34) One main difference between fungi and plants (36:26) How fungi are more similar to humans than they are to plants (40:37) Why fungal infections are so hard to treat without harming ourselves (41:38) A critical take on functional mushrooms (45:16) Defining "conscious" and "consciousness"; all organisms have consciousness (55:29) Patreon Thanks (58:30) Science and Society needs to NOT recognize the consciousness of non-human life (01:06:09) Fungal hyphae are conscious; here's how (01:10:20) Can an organism be conscious and lack the capacity of intent? (01:18:39) "Is a mycelium more than a sum of its parts? Can it be regarded as an integrated conscious entity?" (01:21:12) Our visual identification informs our empathy? Finding Religions through science (01:26:46) Our psilocybin experiences encounters with the mind of the fungi? (01:34:28) A short story about what Prof Money hasn't experienced psilocybin (01:36:57) Maybe psilocybin is evolutionarily meant for us in some way (01:45:06) Follow up links and info on Prof Money's new book (01:46:50) Outro   ***** SUPPORT THE PODCAST Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Paypal Donation: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telgram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso OR you can buy a copy of one of my books! Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom – https://www.jameswjesso.com/decomposing-the-shadow/ The True Light Of Darkness — https://www.jameswjesso.com/true-light-darkness/

    1h 49m
  2. Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando

    OCT 18

    Tripping into Post-Scarcity: AI, Psychedelics, and the Future of Filmmaking | Jeffery Lando

    Full Show Notes And A Video Version Of This Episode Can Be Found At Jameswjesso.com Become a Patreon to Receive Exclusive Content Stay In Contact Through Signing Up For James' Newsletter This episode features an interview with Jeffery Lando, an experienced filmmaker who recently directed the psychedelic-themed movie "Lissa's Trip". Our discussion explores the intersection of psychedelics, artificial intelligence, and filmmaking. We discuss into how Lando used AI and other emerging technologies to create the visual effects for his film, producing some of the best LSD-like psychedelic visuals and audio that I have personally seen in a movie. We also discuss the potential impacts of AI on the film industry and creative processes more broadly. We explore ideas around personal growth, societal change, and envisioning post-scarcity futures as Lando shares his perspectives on the transformative potential of psychedelics, drawing from his own experiences and how they influenced the themes in his movie. Additionally, the conversation touches on some, let’s say, provocative topics related to economics, labour, and visions for reorganizing society. And, although I can't endorse any particular views, I believe you'll find it to be a thought-provoking dialogue about technology, consciousness, and human potential. Enjoy! FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW ... SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso ▷ Sponsor: HARMONIC ARTS PLANT MEDICINE Use the promo code JESSO for 15% off your First order *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A Another special thanks to Shamir for their generous one-time donation. ... Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (02:40) Interview begins (04:03) Lissa’s Trip as an experiment of post-singularity/non-hierarchical film making (11:54) Producing psychedelic visuals by getting AI to hallucinate on an image (19:03) The difference between Google’s old Deep Dream and modern Ai art generation (25:57) A diverse ecosystem of AI models, will be our saving grace. (39:25) Debating the reality of money and its ties to the value of goods and labour (50:47) The difference between “art” and “content” is how it moves the person witnessing it, produced through AI or not. (59:36) Unrestrained info access vs. regulated content: freedom or control? (1:07:59) Patreon Thanks (1:09:45) Adding new tech on top of old systems rather than integrating new technology to creates better systems; mirrors the psychedelic mainstreaming (1:18:09) Facing the shadow is key; we need “poor people” to force us back to the factory. (1:21:01) Psychedelic disrupt our established models of reality, allowing us to face our shadow and create better models for realty (1:28:45) Lissa’s Trip was meant to disrupt filmmaking culture; AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:34:16) AI’s only threat is to the status quo (1:35:25) What it means to live in a post-singularity world (more like burning man than the factory floor) (1:37:17) Lissa’s Trip is meant to take people on a trip; and a love letter to LSD (1:43:17) Watch Lissa’s Trip for free now, plus follow-up social links for Jeffry Lando (1:45:14) Outro

    1h 47m
  3. Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed

    SEPT 6

    Empowering Our Joy For Life Through Honoring Our Pain for the World | John Seed

    In this episode of the podcast, we interview deep ecology teacher and rainforest activist John Seed. Together, we discuss the importance of altering our sense of self such that it includes the natural world, the role psychedelics can play in that process, and how, even if the world as we know it burns and collapses, life itself will thrive through it all as it always has. We also talk about the philosophy of deep ecology and healing ourselves from the illusion of anthropocentrism; falling into the apathy of the modern world; “honouring our pain for the world” and how, when expressed, despair becomes empowerment. As well as the dance between present ecological crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years; the Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself; and where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism. Far from being a downer episode, as one might expect with topics such as these, I found my conversation with John refreshing, empowering, and genuinely inspiring. To me, this is one of the small handful of interviews I have done that impacted me in a significantly positive way. I hope you experience something similar. Enjoy. ... For links to Seed's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind191 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening and Guest Bio (04:47) Interview Begins (06:20) The value and importance of activism; turning citizens into consumers (09:23) The dance between present crisis and the thriving of life for billions of years (14:25) Deep ecology and healing the illusion of anthropocentrism (27:13) Patreon Thanks (29:05) Grief and “honouring our pain for the world”; when expressed, despair becomes empowerment (36:08) Seeing the world with new eyes (39:38) Falling into the apathy of the modern world (44:56) The importance of community in facing our grief (47:43) A story of psychedelic cannabis and being healed by the forest (52:42) The Disney-fication of nature vs the brutality of life being itself (57:27) Exchanging stories of meaningful psychedelic visions (01:05:09) How psychedelics put John on his journey into environmentalism (01:08:27) Where psychedelics fit into deep ecology and environmental activism (01:11:31) What looks like chaos and destruction might be a greater intelligence at work (01:19:16) If we can cause less death and destruction, we should try (01:22:17) The drinking of psychedelic acacias in Australia; how acacia courtii saved John’s life (01:29:22) The challenge of facing one’s aging as one’s desire to give more to the world grows (01:33:23) Follow-up links and contact information (01:34:24) Outro

    1h 36m
  4. Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190

    AUG 2

    Laughing Through the Chaos: Psychedelics, Comedy and Society's Growing Pains | Nick Sun ~ ATTMind 190

    In this episode of Adventures Through the Mind, we interview Nick Sun, stand up comedian, former psychedelic facilitator, and now the author of "No Mo Trippin". We discuss Nick's personal experiences with psychedelics, including his high usage and how it led him to both become a facilitator and to stop facilitating; his criticisms of Western psychedelic culture; the concept of spiritual bypassing; and the challenges of integrating psychedelic experiences. We also touch on the potential of psychedelics for cultural change, the importance of responsible use and integration, and where comedy and humour fit into our navigation of the modern world and its many crises. Enjoy. ... For links to Nick Sun's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind190 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, & Joe A   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening (01:07) Guest bio and introduction (04:20) Interview begins; a book of initiations (10:28) Self-critiquing our self-obsession and saviour complex in the West world (15:34) Neoteny, “adult” as a verb, and the Hero’s journey as an initiation for children (21:10) Self-initiation through psychedelic excess, the potential harms and opportunities (28:11) Spiritual bypassing through high dose psychedelic experiences (30:37) Are we disrespecting the plants when we take too much, too often? (33:00) Clarifying the harms of such an excessive use of psychedelics (36:42) The value of undergoing a rite of passage and getting a teacher before we begin our psychedelic explorations (42:18) Patreon Thanks (44:12) The risks of becoming a facilitator inspired by psychedelics plants alone (52:30) Differentiating between messages from the plant and psychedelically-inflated egoic projections (55:53) “Tread carefully, my friend”; advice to new psychedelic facilitators (01:00:31) The risks of becoming a facilitator with a degree but no psychedelic experience (01:04:12) Can we use psychedelic to heal culture, or will psychedelics be used as bandaide for a failed system? (01:14:47) Comedy for personal and social healing; comedy for dissociation and bypassing (01:21:58) The role of comedy to help us stay in our heart while commentating on society (01:28:57) The role of humour to help us stay in our heart and not fall into pessimism (01:31:52) Follow-up links (01:33:40) Outro

    1h 37m
  5. cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189)

    JUN 27

    cPTSD, The Climate Crisis, and Healing Trauma with Coral Reefs and Ayahuasca | Greg Wrenn (189)

    We welcome Greg Wrenn to the show to share his experience of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) and how it was that his explorations of coral reefs and journeys with Ayahuasca turned the tide on his lifelong struggle with the condition. Additionally, as both his experience of and healing from cPTSD is intertwined with his journalism on climate science, we also explore how the ecological and psychological effects of the climate crisis weave into our personal and collective experiences and expressions of trauma. Enjoy ... For links to Wrenn's work, full show notes, and a link to watch this episode in video, head to bit.ly/ATTMind189 *** FULL TOPICS BREAKDOWN BELOW**   SUPPORT THE PODCAST Become a member of my Patreon: https://patreon.com/jameswjesso Toss me a tip on PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=383635S3BKJVS Toss my a Tip on Ko-Fi: https://ko-fi.com/jameswjesso Buy some merchandise:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/shop/ More Options: https://www.jameswjesso.com/support Newsletter:  https://www.jameswjesso.com/newsletter Telegram Channel:  https://t.me/jameswjesso *** Huge thanks to my patrons on Patreon! In particular, my $23+ patrons; Andreas D, Ian C, Alex F, Eliz C, Joe A;   Episode Breakdown (00:00) Opening; Guest Bio (3:28) Our favourite Star Trek TNG characters and why (8:05) An explanation of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (cPTSD) (16:01) How cPTSD manifested in Greg’s life (22:43) The struggles faced when trying to heal cPTSD (30:02) The intersection of personal trauma and the climate crisis (43:19) Patreon Thanks (44:45) The damage and healing in our relationship with Nature (51:33) Neoliberalism and the fallacy of “self-care” in the context of the climate crisis (55:13) Being tricked to feel personally guilty for the climate crisis (1:00:45) How to find our personal way to do deeply meaningful good (1:05:47) The role of being in the living world in our wellbeing and sense of purpose (1:11:32) Where grief fits into navigating trauma and the climate crisis (1:19:19) Healing cPTSD with ayahuasca through healing our attachment wounds (1:27:27) Healing with ayahuasca requires an opportunity to apply your healing after the ceremony (1:30:05) The role psychedelics are playing in supporting our collective response to the climate crisis (1:37:23) Why it is important to ask ourselves: “What is it like to appreciate an ecosystem that will collapse in our lifetimes? To be moved by beauty that we’re pushing toward extinction?” (1:42:32) Follow-up links and contact details

    1h 45m
4.8
out of 5
50 Ratings

About

Adventures Through The Mind is an interview-based podcast hosted by Canadian author and public educator, James W. Jesso. Although the show topics range---from spirituality, mental health, and emotional maturity; to love, relationships and sexuality; to history, philosophy, and neuroscience---there are two underlying themes that intersect them all: psychedelics & the mind. James W. Jesso is the author of Decomposing The Shadow: Lessons From The Psilocybin Mushroom and The True Light Of Darkness, both about his experiences exploring the potentials of psychedelics.

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