Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind

States of Mind
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

Human Journeys is a podcast from States of Mind exploring the personal stories of growth, healing, and change with psychedelics.  Hosted by Jason Najum, each episode features candid conversations with researchers, clinicians, advocates, and everyday people whose lives have been touched by psychedelic therapies. From depression and anxiety to grief, trauma, and major life transitions, guests share the experiences that challenged them, changed them, and helped them move forward. From experts to everyday people, people turn to psychedelics for many reasons, but often with the same hope: to heal, to grow, and to find a new way forward. These are their stories.

  1. Oct 13

    From Gym Bro to Mushroom Man: A Journey of Addiction and Transformation

    Mr. Fungitarian's journey is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Eight years ago, he was a successful personal trainer, nutritionist, and gym owner, but a back injury and subsequent opiate addiction plunged him into a world of turmoil. Mr. Fungitarian's story is not just about overcoming addiction; it's a journey toward finding purpose through adversity. His transformation from a gym bro to a mushroom man highlights the unpredictable paths our lives can take. In a world where many struggle with addiction, his message of hope and healing through unconventional means resonates deeply. If you want to hear more about his incredible journey and insights into the world of psychedelics, be sure to listen to the full episode. In this episode, Mr. Fungitarian shares: 00:00 — Intro 01:36 — How he went from gym owner to opiate addict to mushroom farmer 02:18 — How a torn back turned into twenty pills a day 04:55 — What opiate withdrawal actually feels like 06:32 — What happened the week his mother died 07:42 — What he found while searching for a way out 08:29 — Why there was already a bag of mushrooms in his closet 09:26 — What happened the night he took a handful 13:59 — Why he had all the knowledge and none of the health 16:37 — What he was willing to give up to get clean 18:32 — The moment at the fridge, when the urge was gone 20:15 — How one week took out opiates, caffeine, and vaping 26:02 — Why he decided everything he knew about fitness was a lie 34:04 — What he left behind: greed, gluttony, lust 40:17 — How he rebuilt himself as both hippie and fitness bro 46:59 — Why it isn't the mushroom that changes you Learn more about Mr. Fungitarian: Mr Fungitarian is a mushroom entrepreneur and psychedelic educator. After overcoming opioid addiction with psychedelic mushrooms, he's devoted his life to microdosing and mycology, working to build a global movement around real mushroom medicine. Website LinkedIn Instagram: @mrfungitarian Connect with the host: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    From Gym Bro to Mushroom Man: A Journey of Addiction and Transformation

  2. Oct 5

    “I’ve Returned to Myself”. Clara Parati on Holistic Healing With Psychedelics

    Clara Parati is a psychedelic integration specialist and psychosynthesis coach whose work with clients is shaped by her own healing journey. Living with Crohn’s disease, she has explored the connections between body awareness, boundaries, and wellbeing. She speaks about how psychedelic experiences and integration influenced her perspective — not as a cure for Crohn’s disease, but as part of her personal path and holistic healing. In this episode, Clara shares: 01:33 — How she'd describe her own human journey 02:32 — Why she started going to retreats in the first place 04:20 — How overworking became a way to feel safe 06:31 — What an early ayahuasca journey showed her about victimhood 09:11 — Why she became the over-responsible one 11:04 — Why she felt great at first, then worse 14:26 — Why the medicine alone doesn't do the work 17:11 — How jarring it is to go from a retreat back to normal life 20:37 — What autoimmune conditions have to do with boundaries 21:34 — Why she sees Crohn's as a teacher, not an enemy 23:17 — What seven years of remission actually looks like 25:03 — How her sense of inner safety changed 28:24 — What "returning to myself" means to her 32:33 — Why being witnessed is the most healing part Learn more about Clara: Clara Parati is a Psychedelic Integration Specialist and Faculty Educator at the Entheogen Institute. Living with Crohn’s disease, Clara has used psychedelic therapies to help with her condition, and to explore deeper ways toward healing and wellbeing. Website LinkedIn Instagram: @clara.parati YouTube: @ClaraParati Connect with the host: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    “I’ve Returned to Myself”. Clara Parati on Holistic Healing With Psychedelics

  3. Sep 28

    "Grief Is Love With Nowhere to Go": Psychedelics For PTSD with Mark James Walker

    Today’s episode is a heartbreaking and heartwarming human journey. Mark Walker lost his wife, Vanessa, to a rare disease shortly after their marriage. Their final year was colored by caregiving, and tearful goodbyes. After her death, Mark was left with profound grief and PTSD. But with the help of psychedelic therapy, Mark was able to reconnect with himself, with his grief, and with the memory of his lost love. Mark also opens up about what comes next: writing a book about wounded healers, exploring PTSD treatment for veterans and conflict zones, completing facilitation training in the Netherlands, and figuring out how to bring his lived experience into the emerging psychedelic space. This episode is for anyone navigating loss, supporting someone through illness, or wondering whether healing after trauma is actually possible. If you’ve ever needed proof that beauty and devastation can exist in the same story, this conversation will stay with you.  In this conversation: 01:55 — A rare diagnosis, and a relationship that had only just begun 04:19 — Becoming a full-time caregiver through COVID 05:50 — 130 nights in the hospital, and the start of PTSD 06:43 — Therapy, EMDR, and the turn toward psychedelics 10:05 — 2013, 2017, and the timing that finally worked 13:45 — The hardest thing a person can do 16:36 — Eight months after losing Vanessa: the first journey 18:42 — Vanessa hands over the baton 20:34 — The protocol, and three intentions 22:58 — Inside eight hours of MDMA therapy 25:13 — "Relationships don't end when people die" 31:06 — "Grief is just love with nowhere to go" 34:55 — Six journeys, and why healing isn't linear 39:07 — Rebuilding a life, and what comes next Learn more about Mark: Mark Walker is a media executive, philanthropist, and curious seeker. Following profound personal loss, he began exploring psychedelics as a path toward understanding grief, trauma, and the unconscious mind. His journey has grown into work supporting veterans exploring psychedelics for PTSD, as well as writing a memoir about his own experiences with healing, transformation, and personal growth. Connect with the host: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    "Grief Is Love With Nowhere to Go": Psychedelics For PTSD with Mark James Walker

  4. Sep 16

    Healing War Trauma With Psilocybin — with Stanislav Hibadulin

    Today’s episode is a true Human Journey, as Ukrainian war veteran Stanislav Hibadulin shares his story of tragedy and recovery. Severely injured during the war, Stanislav not only lost his leg but also lost a dear friend. Suffering from severe PTSD, he discovered psychedelic therapy and is now fighting a new battle — to help others get the help they need. In this conversation: 00:36 — "I'm a Ukrainian soldier, and I got healed" 03:55 — The childhood traumas behind the path of the warrior 08:24 — 2018: the injuries, and losing his soulmate 11:44 — Back to the front line: a missile, then a landmine 14:46 — Life after the army, and the first panic attacks 19:01 — A year and a half of antidepressants 20:43 — "War is the strongest drug in the world" 24:11 — The stranger who worked with PTSD 31:15 — The session: meeting his friend again, and meeting God 35:01 — Four hours did what years of pills could not 39:40 — Ukraine as a future leader in healing trauma 44:26 — "It's not a magic pill": set, setting, and professionals 47:13 — "Would you go to war again, knowing everything?" Learn more about Stanislav: LinkedIn: Stanislav Hibadulin Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association (UPRA) Stanislav's Story Advocating For Veteran Psychedelic Therapy in Ukraine Connect with the host: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    Healing War Trauma With Psilocybin — with Stanislav Hibadulin

  5. Sep 7

    "The Mushroom Saved My Life" with Edward Crowe

    Today's guest is Edward Crowe, a music business executive and entrepreneur. His journey with psychedelics began with a chance encounter with mushrooms and turned into a lifelong journey of healing and personal growth. His unique human journey crosses the worlds of music, media, and magic. Mushrooms didn't just change Edward Crowe's life — they pulled him out of alcohol, ego, and self-destruction and gave him a new way to see himself, other people, and the world. In this conversation, he shares the wild, deeply personal path that took him from magician and graffiti artist to psychedelics and a practice he now treats with reverence, discipline, and gratitude.  Edward opens up about the first mushroom experience that cracked everything open, the years it took to understand what psychedelics were teaching him, and the moment he realized they weren't just a substance — they were a mentor.  In this conversation: 00:40 — Magician, muralist, weed dealer: how the mushrooms found him 01:45 — "I had to survive them to understand what they had to teach me" 02:18 — Hard-headed and in the dark: the mushroom becomes a mentor 04:14 — Growing up in Antioch, and the smile he wouldn't show 05:42 — Popping the hood on your psyche: perspective instead of ego 07:50 — A heavy dose under the meteor shower 09:40 — The Superman blanket: permission to be your own hero 10:59 — Stepping outside the hypnosis 12:32 — Considering everyone in the room, from the CEO down 14:19 — Ceremony and the music business: touring with Yelawolf 15:42 — Educating Nashville: the Phoenix Rising Psychedelic Speakeasy 18:09 — From clinical to cultural: psychedelics for the average person 21:18 — His mother's last words: "That's good" 22:42 — Jason on losing his mother inside the hospital system 24:32 — Through the eyes of a wise stranger: ego, conflict, and kindness 28:00 — "I don't have any regrets" — and why he stepped away from drinking 31:21 — The dancing goddess and the moment everything changed 33:01 — Twenty-six years to build the ceremony he uses now 35:58 — Safety first: locked gates, locked phones, no sharp objects 38:05 — Sharpening your superpower: you don't have to be broken to benefit Learn more about Edward: Instagram: @edward.crowe Yealwolf Music Manager Connect with the host: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    "The Mushroom Saved My Life" with Edward Crowe

  6. Aug 26

    Getting Real About Anxiety, Addiction, and Psychedelics with Our Hosts Jason Najum & Max de Rosnay

    What happens when two podcast hosts trade the mic and interview each other? In this special double-feature episode, Human Journeys host Jason Najum sits down with fellow host Max de Rosnay to share the stories they usually draw out of others. Max opens up about a drug addiction that started young and escalated fast, the family intervention that sent him to rehab at seventeen, and how psilocybin later helped him return to the twelve steps with a sense of self-love he'd never felt before. Jason shares his own reckoning with anxiety, a childhood shaped by his parents' divorce, and the night he broke down on his couch and realized his "default setting" was no longer joy. Two very different paths, both leading to psychedelics, and both leading here. #Addiction #Recovery #Psilocybin #Ayahuasca #MentalHealth #Anxiety #TwelveSteps #HumanJourneys In this conversation: 00:00 — Intro 00:27 — Welcome to the double-feature episode 00:57 — Two hosts, one mic: why they're swapping roles 02:25 — Jason's story: childhood in Montreal and a family shaped by history 04:05 — Noticing the shift: when "not great, but alright" stopped being enough 06:05 — The couch moment: hitting a breaking point 08:59 — Max's story: childhood in London and his parents' divorce 13:17 — From class clown to first experiments with drugs 15:12 — Escalation: ketamine, opiates, and heroin by fifteen 16:06 — Family intervention and rehab at seventeen 17:55 — Living with shame, making amends, and finding peace 23:25 — What actually causes addiction: escapism, chemistry, and circumstance 26:17 — Jason's gateway: microdosing psilocybin after the couch moment 32:49 — Peeling back the armor: what surrender looks like in ceremony 34:51 — Max's relapse in Sydney and the voice that told him to stop 38:11 — Finding Psychedelics in Recovery (PIR) and deciding to try psilocybin 40:09 — "I experienced self love for the first time" 43:32 — Comparing experiences: presence, quiet, and seeing the world clearly 54:55 — Max's ayahuasca ceremony in Colombia: purging and sudden gratitude 57:03 — Using psychedelics as a reset, not a rescue 1:02:04 — Closing thoughts: gratitude for the road that got them here Connect with the hosts: Instagram: @jasonnajum LinkedIn: Max de Rosnay and Jason Najum Follow States of Mind: YouTube Channel — @statesofmindhub Spotify — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind Apple Podcasts — Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind LinkedIn — States of Mind Instagram — @statesofmindhub  Note: This episode includes candid discussion of drug addiction and mental health. Jason and Max's experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform. Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    Getting Real About Anxiety, Addiction, and Psychedelics with Our Hosts Jason Najum & Max de Rosnay

  7. Aug 13

    How Psychedelics Helped Save a Veteran's Life with Lisa Tamez

    After years of untreated PTSD from her time as a US Army military police officer, layered on top of childhood trauma and an unspoken struggle with her sexuality, Lisa Tamez found herself in the darkest depression of her life. Isolated in her apartment in Germany, she was drinking heavily, mixing medications, and quietly battling suicidal ideation while nothing else seemed to work. In a candid look at raw psychedelic integration, Lisa, a US Army veteran, details the turning point that changed everything: an Ayahuasca retreat in Mexico with the Heroic Hearts Project, held in Shipibo tradition specifically for LGBTQIA+ veterans. She explains how the medicine helped her purge years of buried trauma, access healing inner-child memories, and unlock a form of embodied self-knowledge she calls "noetic knowing." Today, Lisa continues to integrate these lessons, blending her tough military mindset with a newfound gentleness toward herself. Follow Lisa Tamez on IG: @honey_badger011  Stay connected Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/033zquD... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... LinkedIn:   / statesofmindhub  Instagram:   / statesofmindhub  Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform their lives. Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    How Psychedelics Helped Save a Veteran's Life with Lisa Tamez

  8. Jul 25

    Ayahuasca and 12 Steps Saved My Life: A New Path to Sobriety with Todd Youngs

    After 20 years of severe intravenous cocaine and heroin addiction, multiple prison stints, and failing every traditional treatment center imaginable, Todd Youngs finally found continuous sobriety. In a candid look at raw psychedelic integration, Todd (now a dedicated addiction specialist) details a critical turning point: a 2009 Ayahuasca ceremony that unlocked a felt sense of self-compassion when Alcoholics Anonymous alone wasn’t enough for addiction recovery. He explains how he bypassed the severe depression of Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) by grounding plant medicine insights directly within the structured principles of the 12 Steps. Today, Todd bridges this personal transformation with groundbreaking academic research at UCSF to help others find a new path to genuine healing. #Ayahuasca #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #PlantMedicine #12Steps #HeroinAddiction #PsychedelicIntegration #Transformation #MentalHealthRecovery #HumanJourneys Learn more about Todd Youngs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddyoungs/ https://www.joyofsoberliving.com/ Like what you heard? Subscribe and follow us for weekly conversations on psychedelic healing, mental health, and human transformation — https://www.youtube.com/@statesofmindhub Stay connected LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/statesofmindhub Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/statesofmindhub Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, is a life-changing conversation about personal healing. Join Jason Najum as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform their lives. Note: This episode includes candid discussion of psychedelic use and mental health. Guests' experiences with psychedelics are personal and not a substitute for professional treatment. If you're struggling with substance use, please reach out to a qualified professional or a support service in your area. Human Journeys Podcast, by States of Mind, features life-changing conversations of personal healing. Join us as we explore how psychedelic therapies are helping people grow, heal, and transform.

    Ayahuasca and 12 Steps Saved My Life: A New Path to Sobriety with Todd Youngs
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About

Human Journeys is a podcast from States of Mind exploring the personal stories of growth, healing, and change with psychedelics.  Hosted by Jason Najum, each episode features candid conversations with researchers, clinicians, advocates, and everyday people whose lives have been touched by psychedelic therapies. From depression and anxiety to grief, trauma, and major life transitions, guests share the experiences that challenged them, changed them, and helped them move forward. From experts to everyday people, people turn to psychedelics for many reasons, but often with the same hope: to heal, to grow, and to find a new way forward. These are their stories.

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