The Psychedelic Podcast Third Wave

In this episode, Austin Mao, co-founder of the non-profit entheogenic church Ceremonia, sits down with host Paul F. Austin to discuss his profound journey with plant medicines.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-248-austin-mao/
Austin shares about the experiences offered at Ceremonia, including psilocybin and ayahuasca ceremonies, along with thorough preparation and integration work. He describes the unique status of Ceremonia as one of the few legal retreat centers in the USA offering these psychedelic medicines.
Austin and Paul explore how psychedelic ceremonies can help one cultivate skills and capacity to better embrace and navigate life’s challenges. The conversation closes as Austin shares his vision for psycho-spiritual healing and guides Paul in a brief version of the group ‘circling’ practice offered at Ceremonia.
Austin Mao is an entrepreneur, author, poet, and keynote speaker on the intersection of science and spirituality, psychology and shamanism. He is a co-founder of Ceremonia, a non-profit psychedelic church facilitating change makers and creators through what 96% of alumni share as the most profound experience of their lives. He has guided more than 400 founders including Fortune 500 executives, Silicon Valley Unicorn founders, and major blockchain leaders through their transformation towards living a life of inspired creativity, purpose, and peace.
Austin shares a process of “Modern Enlightenment”—a path to Awaken, Heal, and Manifest—that is informed by the most advanced technologies of psychotherapy and neuroscience combined with ancient shamanistic wisdom and spiritual traditions. He shares a range of direct experience with some of the most prominent business leaders of the modern world, helping them harness their inner power to create greater impact through love and inspired creation.
Highlights:
Austin’s profound initial Ayahuasca experiences Cultivating skills and capacity in ceremony to navigate daily life “Integration begins with preparation” Ceremonia’s legal, non-profit psychedelic church status Ceremonia’s impact on the local community Seeking a trip vs. lasting transformation Austin’s vision for psycho-spiritual healing The practice of circling Conclusion & how to connect with Ceremonia Episode Sponsors:
BiOptimizers. Use code THIRDWAVE for 10% off any order New Brew’s non-alcoholic kratom and kava seltzers. Click Here for 15% off your next order.
The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

n this Psychedelic Podcast episode, Paul F. Austin delves into the power of the unconscious mind and healing from ACEs with Dr. Brian Alman.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-247-brian-alman-phd/
Dr. Brian Alman explores the profound role of the unconscious mind in healing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). He reveals that unlocking the unconscious can lead to deep healing and growth, shedding light on the impact of ACEs on individuals. Dr. Alman shares his unique approach to therapy integrates conscious, subconscious, and unconscious realms alongside the healing potential of nature.
The conversation closes with an introduction to Dr. Alman’s new Enlightn app for personalized assessment and treatment of ACEs.
Dr. Brian Alman is the CEO & Founder of True Sage. A passionate facilitator with a Ph.D. in psychology, and author of 14 books, he is one of the world’s leading authorities in wellness and personal growth. Using knowledge of the conscious, subconscious, and Unconscious, he has significantly contributed to psychology, medicine, education, clinical research, wellness, parenting, business, and sports.
He was nicknamed “The Doctor of Last Resort” at Kaiser Permanente — the world’s largest nonprofit healthcare provider. By discovering and facilitating the unconscious, inner potential of each person, he has helped hundreds of thousands of people and contributed to making the world a better place. With his inventions, books, training workshops, one-on-one mobile technologies, and online programs, Dr. Alman is now helping people help themselves more than ever before in the fields of weight loss, stress reduction, healing, and healthcare
Highlights
Finding your own best answers: An introduction to Dr. Alman Understanding the unconscious mind and its healing potential Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact Psychedelics, the unconscious, and healing Dr. Alman's approach for deep healing work The healing power of nature Influential teachers and mentors The Enlightn app Conclusion and gratitude Episode Sponsors:
Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind. Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat. The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin interviews Myles Katz, founder and executive director of Confluence Retreats.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-246-myles-katz/
They delve into the closure of Synthesis, a psilocybin retreat center in Amsterdam co-founded by Myles. From investment decisions to the pandemic’s impact, they discuss the challenges faced and lessons learned. Myles shares his vision for conscious capitalism, introducing Confluence Retreats, a nonprofit psychedelic retreat in Oregon.
This conversation sheds light on the evolution of psychedelic businesses amidst external forces like financial markets and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Myles's professional journey has spanned three continents. During this time, he has launched and led five VC/Impact-funded startups dedicated to technological innovation, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability. Specializing in early-stage business strategy, Myles has successfully raised nearly $20 million USD for cutting-edge business models.
As a co-founder and the Director of Business Development at The Synthesis Institute, Myles spearheaded the development of one of the world's initial legal psychedelic service models. This groundbreaking initiative supported over 1,000 individuals in their mental health journeys until its closure in 2023. His contributions in Oregon have also included significant roles in the state’s landmark psilocybin legalization efforts, serving with the Oregon Psilocybin Training Alliance (OPTA) and on various Rule Advisory Committees for the Oregon Health Authority.
Currently, Myles is leading the development of Confluence Retreats, a project under the Hi-U Foundation. This initiative seeks to integrate nature-based, multi-day psilocybin retreat experiences into Oregon’s innovative legal framework, collaborating with indigenous communities to restore ancient healing practices to the Cascade Siskiyou National Monument. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Omnia Group Ashland, one of Oregon's premier licensed psilocybin service centers. Furthermore, Myles is a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Oregon, bringing his extensive expertise to ensure safe and transformative experiences for participants.
Highlights:
The closure of Synthesis: an overview Synthesis’ growth period and pivoting during COVID Transition to a stewardship model Challenges with the company’s training and retreat programs The impacts of financial markets Introduction to Confluence Retreats Links:
Confluence Retreats Website - Full Program Details & More Confluence Retreats & Third Wave - Ambassador Program   Confluence Retreats on Facebook Episode Sponsor:
KA! Empathogenics Kanna Supplements.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes Chip Conley, founder of the Modern Elder Academy, to discuss reframing aging and building regenerative communities.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-245-chip-conley/?ref=250
Chip delves into the importance of aging with gratitude in this conversation and shares his journey of creating a midlife wisdom school. Chip also highlights the value of intergenerational collaboration and its impact during his time at Airbnb. He explores how indigenous wisdom influences the academy's approach and discusses how psychedelics can aid in navigating midlife transitions. Finally, Chip shares his vision for regenerative communities, and shares lessons on the ego and the soul that he gleaned from building a boutique hotel chain.
Chip Conley:
Chip Conley is on a midlife mission. After disrupting the hospitality industry twice, first as the founder of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, the second-largest operator of boutique hotels in the U.S., and then as Airbnb’s Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy, leading a worldwide revolution in travel, Conley co-founded MEA (Modern Elder Academy) in January 2018 in Baja California, Mexico. Inspired by his experience of intergenerational mentoring as a ‘modern elder’ at Airbnb, where his guidance was instrumental to the company’s extraordinary transformation from fast-growing start-up to the world’s most valuable hospitality brand, MEA is the world's first ‘midlife wisdom school’ and has a campus opening on a 2,600-acre regenerative horse ranch in Santa Fe, New Mexico in April 2024. Dedicated to reframing the concept of aging, MEA supports students to navigate midlife with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility. A New York Times bestselling author, Conley's seventh book "Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better with Age" is about rebranding midlife to help people understand the upside of this often-misunderstood life stage, and gave a 2023 TED talk on the "midlife chrysalis."
Highlights:
The Origin story of the Modern Elder Academy Chip’s role at Airbnb and the value of intergenerational collaboration The Modern Elder Academy: Reframing Aging, Navigating Transitions, Cultivating Purpose, and Owning Wisdom How indigenous wisdom informs MEA’s approach Generativity & the importance of age diversity From 'can-do-it' hero to 'conduit' coach Burning Man, regeneration, and how psychedelics can help with midlif Building regenerative communities Lessons from building a boutique hotel chain Episode Sponsors:
New Brew’s non-alcoholic kratom and kava seltzers. Click Here for 15% off your next order. Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat. Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind. The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin is joined by Alexander Beiner for a deep dive into nuanced engagement in the culture wars.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-244-alexander-beiner/
Paul and Alexander examine the importance of sense-making and the role of psychedelics in navigating complex environments. Alexander draws from his interviews with thought leaders like John Vervaeke, Ian McGilchrist, and Nora Bateson, shedding light on the Four E's of cognitive science. He explores how psychedelics can enhance discernment and adaptability in the face of a rapidly changing world. Alexander also shares his experiences with extended state DMT and its impact on his understanding of reality.
This conversation delves deeply into the realms of consciousness and reality, offering visionary insights into how psychedelic perspectives can inform and address the intricate challenges facing the world.
Alexander Beiner is an author and journalist. He's the author of 'The Bigger Picture: How psychedelics can help us make sense of the world' and an Executive Director of Breaking Convention, Europe's longest-running conference on psychedelic science and culture.
 
Highlights:
The story of Rebel Wisdom and unpacking culture wars
John Vervaeke and Iain McGilchrist
Adding ‘emotion’ and ‘exaptation’ to 4E Cognition
DMT entities and the overview effect
Examining the different medicines can occasion unique mystical experiences
Idealism and panpsychism
The importance of cultivating relational ways of being
Envisioning new systems to facilitate responsible psychedelic use
Reestablishing a relationship with the land
Resources and conclusion
 
Episode Sponsors:
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Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.
The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, host Paul F. Austin welcomes physician Dr. Russell Kennedy, “The Anxiety MD,” to discuss healing the root cause of anxiety, and the role that psychedelics can play.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-243-russell-kennedy-md/
Dr. Kennedy shares his personal journey of healing anxiety stemming from his own childhood adversity. He discusses the connection between the mind and body, the impact of psychedelics on anxiety, and transcending the limiting self-beliefs that physiological states of anxiety can produce.
Dr. Kennedy also provides practical practices to connect with the self and overcome anxiety. Offering a neuroscientific overview of anxiety, he emphasizes the importance of changing the alarm sensation in the body to break protective behavioral patterns that may stem from childhood. Additionally, Dr. Kennedy shares his experience with stand-up comedy and its impact on his life. He concludes by discussing his current projects and focus on helping people find relief from anxiety.
Dr. Russell Kennedy, also known as "The Anxiety MD," is a visionary physician in the field of anxiety disorders. With a diverse background in medicine, neuroscience, developmental psychology, yoga, meditation, and stand-up comedy, he has redefined the understanding and treatment of anxiety from both scientific and humanistic perspectives. Much of his work is based on overcoming his own lifelong battle with chronic, crippling worry, creating the award winning and best-selling book Anxiety Rx, The Anxiety Rx Podcast, and more recently, MBRX, a step by step mind-body program designed to permanently heal anxiety. Dr. Kennedy is empowering individuals from all over the world to overcome anxiety and embrace a life of calm and fulfilment.
 
Highlights:
How psychedelics and studying childhood trauma informed Dr. Kennedy’s perspective on anxiety
A new theory on anxiety
The impact of psychedelics on anxiety
Why so many people struggle with anxiety
Practices to feel more connected and less anxious
How to safely bring more awareness to the root causes of anxiety
Addressing anxiety stemming from preverbal trauma
Developing the courage to feel
A physician’s experience as a stand-up comedian
Dr. Kennedy's current projects and focuses
 
Episode Sponsors:
Neurohacker Collective: Use code THIRDWAVE for an additional 15% off Qualia Mind.
Soltara Healing Center: Use code TW200 to receive $200 off your next retreat.