Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

Scott Schumaker
  • 5.0 (18)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Love, Loss and Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker — a podcast where we start with those three themes and see where the conversation takes us. This podcast is about the beauty and pain of being human, a podcast about finding strength and connection in vulnerability, a podcast to amplify the voices of those who have been through the ringer of life and have wisdom to share, and a podcast about the healing, evolution, and transformation that can happen when you’re willing to lean into the uncomfortable and the unknown. I’ll be talking with therapists, coaches, world-class athletes, writers, musicians, artists, shamans, plant medicine guides, and everyday who’ve been touched by incredible moments of love, shattered by loss, or altered by the extraordinary. If you’ve ever felt like your heart was going to explode from either love or loss; if you’re wanting deeper connection in this increasingly lonely world; if you’re curious about plant medicine, or you’ve experienced an out-of-the-ordinary vision...then you’ll feel at home here.

  1. 6d ago

    A Plane Crash, a Gunslinger, a Ghost Town & Téa Obreht’s Complex Love of the American West (ep55)

    A ghost town with a secret history. A plane crash in the Wyoming backcountry. A small-town reenactor knotted up in his own masculinity and ego. Three timelines, one place, and a novel that dives into the myths the West was built on. Téa Obreht joins Scott to unpack Sunrise, her most audacious novel yet—a braided story set in the American West that follows Nina, a nanny and art history grad student fighting to survive after falling out of the sky; Anton Vargas, a fading dime-novel gunslinger returning to the town he helped mythologize; and Coll, a hometown historian who stakes his own identity on the myth of Vargas. Obreht also shares the deeply personal path that brought her from Belgrade, Yugoslavia as a child to Wyoming as an adult, her love and fascination of the American West, and her complicated relationship to it.  If you love literary fiction that’s ambitious, atmospheric, and smart, this one is essential listening. Sunrise is a rich conversation about survival, regret, myth, ego and the West. Téa is the best-selling author of the The Tiger’s Wife, Inland, and The Morningside. She joins Scott for this discussion from Dublin, Ireland. Bonus: Téa also recounts what it was like to learn that Barack Obama read and recommended her book, Inland. TÉA'S LINKS: Instagram | Website  SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”

  2. Sep 21

    Life & Death Etc: Moving from Grief to Gratitude with Martin Luke Brown (ep54)

    Martin Luke Brown joins Scott for a wide-ranging conversation about his new album, Life & Death, Etc. Celebration and grief are closer than you think, and Martin turns that truth into a stunning set of songs about what it means to grow up, let go, and still feel fully alive. The discussion starts around grief, masculinity, and creative flow before becoming a deeper look at community, family, addiction, and what it means to feel fully alive. You'll discover: 👉 why Martin sees grief and celebration as two sides of the same experience 👉 how his songwriting works like excavation, revealing truths he didn't know he felt 👉 the story behind "unlearning everything" and the last take that reduced the room to tears 👉 how a mumbled voice note became the spark for "highest high" 👉 why his creative process depends on flow, not overthinking 👉 what he learned from substances and the search for time and calm 👉 how a transformative relationship with his dad helped break old cycles Scott also digs into Martin's path through a major-label deal, a five-year pause, the leap that brought him from the UK to the US scene, and how Bright Antenna Records discovered him. In addition, they chat about football (soccer), gardening, the strange wealth of a life built around people you love and more.  This episode is essential listening if you love honest songwriting, creative process deep dives, and conversations about how loss can become gratitude.  Martin Luke Brown is a Leicester-born self-taught multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer, known for his solo work, his role in the UK indie supergroup Fizz, and his collaborations with artists like Lizzy McAlpine, BTS, Youngblood, and James Blunt. His music blends indie, R&B, Motown, funk, country, and off-kilter pop into something unmistakably his own. MARTIN'S LINKS: Life & Death Etc album | Instagram | TikTok | Website SCOTT’S LINKS: Instagram | Substack | Website | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Martin Luke Brown, “highest high”

  3. Aug 3

    Dave Eggers: An Unpredictable Conversation on CONTRAPOSSTO, Art, Writing, Life & Terry Cloth (ep53)

    In this episode, Dave Eggers, one of America’s greatest living writers, sits down with Scott for a wholly unpredictable and insightful conversation. Yes, they talk about Dave’s incredible new novel, CONTRAPPOSTO, but they also talk about creativity, the writing process, carpet mushrooms, bad grammar, love, shipwreck pawn stars of the 1800s, AI, the VAD Foundation and more. If you are stuck in a creative rut, if you are looking for the next great book to read, or if you just want to laugh, then you will want to check out this episode.  DAVE'S LINKS: Website | Contrapposto | VAD Foundation | McSweeney's  | 826 National  SCOTT’S LINKS: Instagram | Substack | Website | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”

  4. Jul 27

    Tiffanie DeBartolo and Scott Share an Intimate Conversation While Flipping the Tables (ep52)

    Scott and Tiffanie go deep in this must-listen episode. Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Love, Loss & Hallucinations podcast, they explore vulnerability and living authentically, marriage and relationships, the masculine and feminine, emotional maturity and what catalyzed their most profound transformations. Scott shares the struggles behind putting out 52 podcast episodes, and how his personal and spiritual journeys have reshaped his life and relationships. From Tiffanie and him nearly getting divorced to discovering alternative paths to soul-level healing, Scott dives into the dark nights of the soul that led him to greater love, self-awareness, and courage. Tiffanie, a powerful voice of vulnerability, honesty, and strength, reveals what propelled her into a deeper practice of self-love and emotional openness. Their candid banter unpacks the societal expectations placed on men and women, emphasizing that true strength lies in emotional transparency. You'll discover: 👉How Scott and Tiffanie broke free from cultural conditioning and embraced vulnerability. 👉The importance of creating safe spaces for men and women to process emotion without shame. 👉Practical steps for integrating altered states of consciousness into everyday life for lasting growth. 👉The role community, retreats, and ceremony play in shedding shadow aspects and stepping into authenticity. 👉How their shared journey of healing has transformed their marriage, creative pursuits, and purpose. 👉Deep conversations about masculine and feminine energies, emotional expression, and vulnerability. 👉Stories of meaningful guest episodes and lessons learned from their journeys . 👉 Updates on Scott’s upcoming memoir and publishing plans. 👉 The importance of community, music, and nature in their lives. This episode is essential listening if you're ready to challenge outdated gender norms, embrace your full humanity, and learn the real power of vulnerability. Scott and Tiffanie’s stories will inspire you to explore your shadow, deepen your relationships, and see life's transitions as sacred portals to growth. PREVIOUS EPISODES WE DISCUSS: Anna Symonds - Ep 12  Shann Ray - Ep 30  Lauren Carroll - Ep 33  Nicho Nutu - Ep 39  Robert Gallery - Ep46 LINK TO PREVIOUS EPISODES IS HERE. TIFFANIE'S LINKS: Instagram | website | Bright Antenna Records | Bookshop | Amazon | Dream for an Insomniac  SCOTT’S LINKS: Instagram | Substack | Website | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”

  5. Jul 20

    A Sacred Journey from Corporate Disneyland to Plant Medicine, Love and Death with Kat Courtney (ep51)

    Prepare to be ignited by a raw, powerful story of healing, shadow work, and love. Kat Courtney, a woman who’s dedicated her life to exploring the shadows and the light, cracks open the depths and healing potential of plant medicines like ayahuasca, ibogaine, and wachuma, and how being a death doula is ultimately about love and fits perfectly with plant medicine. Most of us are living behind a mask of success, secretly hollow, craving genuine healing, and likely needing to face our shadows. Kat Courtney’s extraordinary journey from a small-town Montana girl stuck in an outwardly “successful,” corporate Disney gig to a profound plant medicine ayahuasquera will fascinate you. She reveals how sitting with powerful sacred plants like ayahuasca and ibogaine cracked open her deepest wounds—and transformed her into someone who now helps others do the same. If you’re hungry to understand how these sacred plants can heal, reveal, and transform love and loss then this one’s for you. In this episode: 👉 Kat’s journey from a corporate, small-town Montana girl to ayahuasquera and death doula 👉 The awakening power of ayahuasca and its lessons on shadow work 👉 The differences between ayahuasca, ibogaine, and wachuma and how each offers unique healing 👉 Why diving into the shadows is essential for true healing and authentic love 👉 How plant diets strengthen our connection and protect our energetic boundaries 👉 The profound lessons plant medicines teach about grief, loss, and love’s all-encompassing nature 👉 The story behind Kat’s arrest and her commitment to staying aligned with her truth 👉 Practical insights on working with non-psychedelic plants for emotional and spiritual growth 👉 Explore death as a sacred transition: Kat’s role as a death doula 👉 How plant medicine accelerates the journey to love and self-acceptance KAT'S LINKS: Instagram | Newsletter | Plant Medicine People Website | Bassé website  SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”  This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.

  6. Jul 13

    Dr. Dave Rabin: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Mind, Spirit and Healing (ep50)

    Join us for this dive into Dr. Dave Rabin's #1 neuroscience book on Amazon, A SIMPLE GUIDE TO BEING HUMAN. Dave and I have a wisdom-filled conversation about the power of feeling, the science behind love, and the incredible potential of psychedelics and technology to transform our understanding of reality and heal trauma. Dr. Dave Rabin shares insights from decades of research and his book, including that that spirituality isn’t just faith, but a measurable, biological experience. You’ll discover how ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience collide, revealing that love is as real as your heartbeat and safety is the foundation of healing. Learn how a tiny vibration, a moment of gratitude, or even a 120-second breathing practice can rewire your brain and transform your life. If you’re craving connection, longing for purpose, or simply ready to tap into the magic hiding in plain sight, this episode is for you. It’s time to feel first, think second, and heal. Don’t miss this journey into the science that proves love, spirit, and consciousness are not separate from us—they are us. In this episode: 👉How deep trauma and early experiences shape our dreams and perceptions 👉The astonishing science proving love as a biological and spiritual force 👉Why feeling first is the key to healing—breaking the cycle of repression 👉The groundbreaking technology Apollo Neuro and its role in stress relief and sleep enhancement 👉Reframing hallucinations as visions—exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness 👉The sacred connection between science and spirituality through DMT and psychedelic research 👉Practical, simple practices to rewire your brain in just minutes a day 👉The importance of play, inner child, and community in healing and joy 👉The science of consciousness, faith, and the universe—trusting what we cannot fully understand DR. DAVE RABIN'S LINKS: Instagram | Website | A Simple Guide to Being Alive | Apollo Neuro   SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”  This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.

  7. Jul 6

    San Pedro: A Heart-Centered, Healing Journey Deep Dive with Samer Mouawad (Ep49)

    In this episode, we dive deep into the sacred plant medicines of Peru. Ayahuasca, yes. But shaman Samer Mouawad and I take an even deeper dive into the profound, transformational healing one can experience with Wachuma (San Pedro), a cactus. We also discuss how kambo, a process where the secretions of the giant monkey frog are superficially burned into your skin, can help deepen the healing process; why someone might be pulled to a wachuma ceremony versus an ayahuasca journey; and why wachuma is such a powerful medicine to counter the disconnection and trauma so many people experience in modern society. Samir also shares his amazing personal journey from Lebanon to the jungles of Peru, when he had *no* intentions of becoming a shaman.  We discuss: 👉 The history and spiritual lineage of Wachuma and its archaeological roots 👉 Samir’s transformative encounters with ayahuasca and how San Pedro brought him back into his body and heart 👉 The difference between Western medicine and shamanic healing, and how plant medicine bridges the gap 👉 The concept of regenerative shamanism and how integrating daily habits amplifies the medicine’s effects 👉 The importance of intention, guidance, and honoring the plant’s call 👉 Kambo’s role in detoxification and its regenerative peptides 👉 How plant medicines can steer you in the right or wrong direction without proper guidance 👉 Why San Pedro is particularly valuable for modern disconnection and trauma 👉 Personal stories of loss and insight, emphasizing humility, acceptance, and compassion 👉 Practical tips for safe and meaningful plant medicine journeys and choosing the right medicine for your path Remember: Always approach plant medicine with respect, guided support, and a clear intention.  SAMIR'S LINKS: Instagram | Samadi Healing Retreats  SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”  This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.

  8. Jun 22

    Healing from Family Trauma After Her Mother's Death with Amy Scott Rooker (Ep 48)

    Prepare to be moved by Amy Scott Rooker’s extraordinary journey from trauma to healing. Growing up, she had a contentious relationship with her parents, who chose to ignore the intense trauma inflicted on Amy by a sibling. She tried to bury her pain by creating the “perfect” life as a corporate lawyer. Meanwhile, privately, she numbed herself with a few drinks every night and battled an eating disorder. It wasn’t until her mother died that her heart broke open and she knew something had to change. Her journey within involved therapists, books, plant medicine, and more, but it brought her healing, an inspiring spiritual awakening, and a new life grounded in love. It also stirred a latent love of writing, which she turned into her new memoir, My Mother is a Dragonfly. Her journey from grief to grace will show you that the greatest healing comes when you stop running from yourselves and start loving all parts of your story. In this episode: 👉Amy's path from corporate lawyer to spiritual seeker after her mother's death 👉How unresolved trauma and family secrets can shape a life 👉The impact of plant medicine and psychedelic journeys on healing trauma 👉Connecting with your younger selves across time for profound healing 👉The significance of authenticity and vulnerability in grief and relationships 👉How quantum physics aligns with spiritual awakening 👉The role of forgiveness in liberation and growth 👉The importance of embracing life's complexity and our divine roles 👉Practical insights for leaning into dark moments and trusting the process 👉Amy’s new book, My Mother is a Dragonfly, and her mission to honor her journey This is a great episode to share with someone going through a hard time, needing inspirations, wanting to connect with something greater, or just someone you love. ❤️ AMY'S LINKS: website | Instagram | My Mother is a Dragonfly  SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok  MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”

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18 Ratings

About

Welcome to Love, Loss and Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker — a podcast where we start with those three themes and see where the conversation takes us. This podcast is about the beauty and pain of being human, a podcast about finding strength and connection in vulnerability, a podcast to amplify the voices of those who have been through the ringer of life and have wisdom to share, and a podcast about the healing, evolution, and transformation that can happen when you’re willing to lean into the uncomfortable and the unknown. I’ll be talking with therapists, coaches, world-class athletes, writers, musicians, artists, shamans, plant medicine guides, and everyday who’ve been touched by incredible moments of love, shattered by loss, or altered by the extraordinary. If you’ve ever felt like your heart was going to explode from either love or loss; if you’re wanting deeper connection in this increasingly lonely world; if you’re curious about plant medicine, or you’ve experienced an out-of-the-ordinary vision...then you’ll feel at home here.

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