The Psychedelic Podcast Third Wave

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. Use code THIRDWAVE25 for 25% off. 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:
Joyous microdose ketamine. Book your free consultation today!
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.

In this episode, Jennifer Tessler, Jennifer Tessler, Psychotherapist & Founder of Alalaho, joins Paul F. Austin to discuss contemplative approaches to psychedelic healing.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-242-jennifer-tessler/
Jennifer shares her journey of self-discovery through travel, meditation, and psychedelics. She discusses the integration of Dzogchen and psychedelics, and the benefits of psychedelics in supporting spiritual practices. Jennifer also talks about the founding of Alalaho Retreats and their focus on providing comprehensive retreat experiences for individuals interested in exploring psychedelics and deepening their spiritual practice. Jennifer explains the core practices in the experience retreat, which include meditation, somatic practices, journaling exercises, nature connection exercises, authentic relating, and ecstatic dance. She also emphasizes the importance of long-term integration and incorporating contemplative elements in the retreats.
Additionally, Jennifer shares her vision for offering retreats specifically for clinicians and healthcare practitioners to learn how to deliver psychedelic-assisted therapies. She highlights the need for psychedelic facilitators to have personal experience and expertise in navigating the inner realms. Finally, Jennifer emphasizes the integrity and safety of Alalaho as a container for transformative experiences.
Jennifer Tessler embarked on an in-depth exploration of reality and the inner workings of the human mind(heart) following a transformative backpacking journey to Asia in her late teens. There, she was introduced to the profound teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and discovered the sacred use of psychedelic medicines for the first time. Over the next 15 years, she devoted herself to the practice of meditation and the study of psychological healing and spiritual growth, spending close to a thousand days in meditation retreat under the close guidance of her Tibetan Buddhist teacher (a renowned Dzogchen master in the Vajrayana school). Her journey also led her to become an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist, blending Eastern wisdom with Western therapeutic approaches.
In 2017, Jennifer began facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats and co-directing the UK Psychedelic Society's Experience Retreats program, Europe's first legal psilocybin-assisted retreat program. This initiative eventually culminated in the founding of Alalaho, a pioneering organization celebrated for its integrity and heart-centered approach. Jennifer's efforts are dedicated to nurturing the unfolding of the infinite vitality, wisdom, and potential that lies at the core of our being — just like the blossoming of a lotus.
 
Highlights:
LSD in the Himalayas and pivotal journeys to Asia
Growing up between Paris and London
Training as a transpersonal psychotherapist
Understanding Dzogchen
Tibetan Buddhism lineages and practices
Dzogchen and psychedelics
Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Crazy Wisdom
Alalaho Retreats
Current Focus of Alalaho
Jennifer's greater vision for Alalaho
Training for clinicians and healthcare practitioners
Connect with Alalaho Retreats
 
Episode Sponsors:
New Brew’s non-alcoholic kratom and kava seltzers. Use code THIRDWAVE25 for 25% off.
The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

Adrian Lozano joins host Joseph Anew on The Psychedelic Podcast to discuss psychedelic coaching, integration, and group microdosing.
Find episode links, summary, and transcript here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-241-adrian-lozano/
In this rich conversation, Adrian shares his journey with psychedelics, from anxiety and depression to living from the heart. He emphasizes the importance of regulating the nervous system and overcoming social anxiety. Adrian also highlights the role of integration and self-regulation in the psychedelic experience. Together, Adrian and Joseph explore the benefits of microdosing and breathwork as tools for personal growth and transformation, and how to build trust with psychedelic medicines.
Adrian shares how The Coaching Certification Program transformed his professional trajectory. He offers his perspective on the ever-evolving psychedelic field, highlighting the importance of ethics and community. Adrian also introduces his group microdose program, touching on the power of community in psychedelic integration.
Adrian Lozano is a plant medicine facilitator and integration coach. He has been working with psychedelic plant medicines for over 7 years. Plant medicine was the catalyst for his healing journey and now holds space for others to do the same.
Through education, guidance, and support Adrian promotes the safe use of plant medicine with intention. He leads retreats, facilitates ceremonies, and supports individuals with microdosing and integration.
 
Highlights:
Living with an open heart: Adrian’s psychedelic path
Regulating the nervous system
The power of the breathwork in psychedelic healing
The importance of integration
Microdosing and building trust with the medicine
The impact of the Coaching Certification Program
The transformation of the psychedelic field
Ayahuasca vs. psilocybin
The role of psychedelics in modern life
The value of personal experience in coaching
Adrian's group microdose program
Where to find Adrian's work
 
Episode Sponsors:
Joyous microdose ketamine. Book your free consultation today!
The Coaching Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.