The Plant Medicine For PTSD Podcast

Dr. David Zwoboda
  • 5.0 (5)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Plant Medicine For PTSD Podcast is dedicated to bringing you real stories of real people getting real help to overcome their trauma through the use of intentional plant medicine and other spiritual practices. 

  1. 23. 4 Lies You’ve Been Told About Psychedelics

    3D AGO

    23. 4 Lies You’ve Been Told About Psychedelics

    In this episode, I break down the four biggest myths that keep people stuck, especially folks dealing with PTSD, CPTSD, anxiety, depression, and the heavy “I’ve tried everything” fatigue. We’re talking straight: plant medicine isn’t just for Navy SEALs, you’re not “too fucked up” for healing, a big trip isn’t a magical reset button, and you don’t have to run off to Peru or blow up your life to get better.  I share real stories from our clients to show how challenging memories can come up without re-traumatizing you ... and why the real results come from what you do before and after: preparation, support, and actual integration.  Also: healing can be boring as hell sometimes… and that’s where the magic hides. If you want a grounded way to approach plant medicine, psychedelics, and trauma healing, check out our free resources below, or visit us at becomingom.org MICRODOSING FUNDAMENTALS: https://go.becomingom.org/resources/microdosing-101 ALTERNATIVE HEALING FOR VETERANS: https://go.becomingom.org/resources/healing-briefing And if you’ve got questions or myths you want me to tackle next, drop a comment or DM us. Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    16 min
  2. 22. Psychedelics for Trauma Healing: Plant Medicine Fundamentals (Microdosing, Safety, Intention)

    6D AGO

    22. Psychedelics for Trauma Healing: Plant Medicine Fundamentals (Microdosing, Safety, Intention)

    In this episode, I break down what we mean when we say medicine (not just “drugs”), who this work is for, and why jumping straight into a massive dose or booking an ayahuasca/ibogaine retreat with zero preparation can be a terrible idea for most people.  If you’ve had a bad trip, if you’re sober and conflicted, if you’re a veteran or first responder carrying PTSD, or if you’re just a normal human who’s been through some shit and wants more peace, presence, and connection - this conversation is for you.  We also talk safety (including important mental health contraindications), set/setting, and why microdosing + mindfulness can be the foundation that changes everything. If you’re ready to explore this the right way ...with structure, intention, and real integration... check out our work and resources.  Check out our free resources below, or visit us at becomingom.org MICRODOSING FUNDAMENTALS: https://go.becomingom.org/resources/microdosing-101 ALTERNATIVE HEALING FOR VETERANS: https://go.becomingom.org/resources/healing-briefing And if you know someone who needs this message, share it ... seriously, it might be the nudge that keeps them here. Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    14 min
  3. 21. Billy Evans, Part 2: Addiction Recovery Through Psychedelic Integration & Identity Change

    JAN 6

    21. Billy Evans, Part 2: Addiction Recovery Through Psychedelic Integration & Identity Change

    Psychedelic integration raises a bigger question than most people are ready to ask: what if substance abuse isn’t the real problem? There’s plenty of research around neuroplasticity, brain chemistry, and “resetting” systems - and that stuff matters. But it never tells the full story. Because most people don’t actually have an “alcohol problem” or a “drug problem.” They have a substance-based solution to deeper problem they don’t know how to deal with any other way. And that’s why abstinence alone rarely lasts. If you just take away someone’s solution - even a destructive one - without helping them solve the underlying problem, relapse is typically only a matter of time. In this episode, I sit down with my guy Billy Evans to unpack why this chapter of his recovery looks completely different from every attempt before it. Billy had gotten clean multiple times in the past through sheer willpower. And every time, life eventually applied enough pressure to overwhelm his coping mechanisms… and he went back. What changed wasn’t just more discipline. What changed was his identity. Through guided plant-medicine work, Billy didn’t just learn new coping strategies - he addressed the root issues that drove him to numb, escape, and check out in the first place.  The version of him that needed substances to survive simply isn’t there anymore. That’s the difference. Not “staying clean,” but becoming someone who no longer needs the escape. This conversation also goes deep into why integration work matters so much after a major experience. Billy is a living example of what happens when insights get turned into structure, support, and real-world change instead of fading away after the retreat ends. You’ll hear Billy share his firsthand experience with integration — including his journey working with us — and why he says he’s doing better now than at any point in his adult life. About the guest: Billy Evans is a veteran and recovery professional whose work focuses on addiction, identity change, and long-term integration. Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    1h 45m
  4. 20. Alice's Story Of Healing While Life Is Still (Sort Of) Falling Apart

    12/23/2025

    20. Alice's Story Of Healing While Life Is Still (Sort Of) Falling Apart

    Healing from trauma isn’t about fixing the past - it’s about learning how to stay present while you heal in real time. In this episode, Alice shares her story from the middle, not the finish line. She grew up in Russia in an abusive home, immigrated to the U.S. without speaking English, and learned early how to survive by pushing forward. That survival mode carried her into adulthood… into service as a first responder, into motherhood, and into multiple "failed" marriages as she ended up repeating the same patterns again and again.  Alice became a police officer and later a corrections officer.  But her young son was diagnosed with leukemia, forcing her to walk away from her career and put everything into his health, safety, and emotional well-being. At the same time, her own unresolved childhood trauma and abusive marriages were catching up to her. I love this conversation because it isn't about a clean transformation story with a black and white pre / post plant medicine story or something where everyone lives happily ever after.  Alice is still in it. She’s currently going through divorce #5 and actively doing the work — learning boundaries, rebuilding self-trust, and finding support through breathwork, community, retreats, and our online program. We talk honestly about what it means to heal while raising kids, navigating loss of identity, and letting go of relationships that no longer align — especially as a woman and a first responder (and a good Russian) who was trained to stay strong and keep going no matter the cost. What we cover: Childhood trauma and how it shapes adult relationshipsMarriage abuse and breaking long-term patternsBreathwork for trauma and emotional releaseHealing in the middle of divorce and life transitionAlice’s experience at FlowState retreats and in our online programThe role of community when you stop doing it all aloneThis episode is for anyone who feels like they’re late to healing… or scared they’re doing it “wrong.” You’re not behind. You’re just done pretending you’re fine. Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    1h 49m
  5. 19. Allen Heaton - Operation: Flowstate & Healing While Still On The Job

    11/27/2025

    19. Allen Heaton - Operation: Flowstate & Healing While Still On The Job

    This episode was never actually meant to see the light of day as a regular podcast, but it turned out to be too good to keep under wraps.  I’m joined by active-duty police officer Allen Heaton, who originally hopped on just to record a few quick snippets about his experience at last year’s Operation FlowState retreat, his upcoming role as head instructor at the 2026 retreat, and his new role as a mentor inside our Beyond the Uniform program. Allen first came to last year's retreat, then worked with us inside our online program and experienced some significant transformations as a result. Now, he’s coming back as part of our team to share his lessons learned with the next generation of active-duty first responders we’ll be working with. In this short episode, Allen talks about his experiences at the Operation FlowState retreat and the healing he was able to create without any plant medicine in the picture — and how that healing continued to unfold after he got home. He shares how the accumulated trauma from years of policing, including being shot on the job, turned out to be only the icing on the cake of issues that began much earlier in his life.  The more recent job-related trauma was actually processed fairly quickly, which allowed him to keep peeling back the layers of the onion, exploring the deeper factors that shaped him into who he is today, and re-examining who he wants to become as he prepares to retire from policing next year. If you want to learn more about anything you heard in this episode, go to becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info on our retreat, or message us @becoming.om on Instagram to learn more. Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    48 min
  6. 18. Expectations, Leadership & Healing with Tim "Chachi" Pachasa

    11/01/2025

    18. Expectations, Leadership & Healing with Tim "Chachi" Pachasa

    How much time have you spent reflecting on a single word? Tim Pachasa—aka “Chachi”—has spent 13 years on one: expectations. Expectations shape how we communicate, how we lead, and how we navigate healing from PTSD and moral injury. I don’t think anyone has unpacked this concept more than Chachi.  He has spent 20+ years in leadership positions in the military, runs his own leadership consultancy, serves as Executive Director at HunterSeven Foundation, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. This one gets more philosophical than usual, and you can tell we could nerd out about words for a long time. But it stays useful and practical too, I promise.  Along the way, we get into: The language of expectations and how words frame realityImplications for leadership, fatherhood, and healing from PTSD & Moral InjuryWhy calling in an airstrike is the perfect microcosm of human communication (and why you should teach your toddler how to do it)Tim’s work with the HunterSeven Foundation and their critical missionTim sums it all up with a line I’ve already stolen and used repeatedly:  “Control the controllables, and let go of the let-go-ables.”  Easy… right? Find more at: HunterSeven Foundation — https://hunterseven.org/ HunterSeven Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/huntersevenfoundation/ CAPE Lead (Chachi's leadership company) — https://www.capelead.com/ Chachi's YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/@capeleadleadership9036 Chahi's Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/chachipachasa/ -------------------------------------------- The contents of this episode are for educational & entertainment purposes only and are not medical, legal, or mental-health advice. All views expressed by Tim Pachasa are his alone and do not reflect the official stance of the Hunter Seven Foundation. We do not diagnose, treat, or guarantee outcomes. We do not condone or promote illegal activity, including use of illegal substances. Laws vary by location—know and follow yours, especially regarding controlled substances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes. If you’re in crisis or an emergency, contact local emergency services or a support hotline. In the United States or Canada, dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For psychedelic support, contact the Fireside Project at 623-473-7433 or https://firesideproject.org/hotline Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    1h 37m

  7. 11/01/2025

    17. Overheard In Healing #1 A Tale of Two Dads

    This is the first installment in a new series we're testing out where we highlight stories and inspirational (or painful) snippets we hear from our clients and mentors inside of our coaching program.  This one brings you a tale of 2 dads - one hopeful, one devastating but both inspiring stories to hear. (Okay, plus one more story completely unrelated to dads but I still wanted to share it and I really like the title so I just snuck it in there) Hope you find something valuable here 🙏 Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    11 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    16. Why Dr. Charlie Powell Sold His Thriving Medical Practice To Make A Documentary About Veterans Healing With Ibogaine

    This episode dives into psychedelic retreats & psychedelic integration through the story of Dr. Charlie Powell—a veteran and physician with multiple board certifications and medical patents.  He appeared to be crushing life by all external metrics, having built and sold a thriving medical practice, but severe burnout was eroding his wellbeing under the surface. Traditional medicine had nothing to offer him, and after he found real healing through plant medicine, he was appalled that the Western medical system never brought this option to the table for him.  We get into how the stress showed up in his body, how he rethought “success,” and why he now advocates for honest, patient-centered healing. Charlie walks through his military background, the rollercoaster of building a high-performance medical practice, and the moment the wheels started to come off. He shares what he learned after discovering psychedelics, why many clinicians still won’t touch the topic, and how he reframed his life and work. We also talk about his passion project: creating a family-friendly retreat concept centered on accessibility and dignity for families who care for children with disabilities. You’ll hear a veteran’s perspective on service, identity, and purpose after the uniform—plus grounded takeaways on preparation, safety, and integration (yes we’re both technically doctors, but no, this is not medical advice). We also touch on all the buzzwords—like ibogaine, retreats in Mexico, and how to think about “aftercare” beyond any single experience—so you can sort the signal from the noise. Resources mentioned:  • Healing Heroes — https://healingheroes.com/about/ • Solo Vive — https://solovive.com/ • Healing Heroes TV (Instagram) — https://www.instagram.com/healingheroestv/ The contents of this episode are for educational & entertainment purposes only and are not medical, legal, or mental-health advice. We do not diagnose, treat, or guarantee outcomes. We do not condone or promote illegal activity, including use of illegal substances. Laws vary by location—know and follow yours, especially regarding controlled substances. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes. If you’re in crisis or an emergency, contact local emergency services or a support hotline. In the United States or Canada, dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline). For psychedelic support, contact the Fireside Project at 623-473-7433 or https://firesideproject.org/hotline Thanks again for listening! Enrollment is open right now for the 2026 Operation FlowState Jiu Jitsu & Healing Retreat. Spaces are limited due to the small size of the retreat center and spots are already more than 75% filled. Visit becomingom.org/flowstate for all the info and to submit an application. Or for info on our online healing programs, DM us the word INFO on Instagram.

    1h 45m
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The Plant Medicine For PTSD Podcast is dedicated to bringing you real stories of real people getting real help to overcome their trauma through the use of intentional plant medicine and other spiritual practices. 

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