Content Warning: This episode addresses sensitive and potentially triggering topics within the psychedelic space, including ethical misconduct, facilitator abuse, and sexual abuse. We encourage you to prioritize your well-being and skip this episode if you are feeling sensitive to these topics at this time. This episode explores how unbalanced power dynamics create an environment where abuse patterns, like overriding client autonomy and gaslighting, flourish in caretaker positions like psychedelic facilitation. To counter this, the community must embrace open communication and foster facilitator accountability, recognizing that conflict is generative and vital for ethical healing. Our guest is Mikaela de la Myco, a mother, herbalist, educator, researcher, and facilitator whose work centers on ancestral healing, sacred earth medicine, and trauma-informed care. As the founder of MushWomb, she creates education and containers for birthing people, queer folks, and BIPOC. Based in the occupied Kumeya and Luiseno territory in San Diego, California, Mikaela draws from her indigenous Mexican, Afro-Caribbean, and Southern Italian roots to promote well-being. Professionally, she spearheads organizations like Ma’at, the Matriarchal Alliance for Accountability and Transparency that represents the collective voices of survivors in the psychedelic space, and Mothers of the Mushroom Research and Resources for Psychedelic Families. Known as a maternal caretaker in her community, Mikaela collaborates with individuals, families, and organizations alike in the struggle to rematriate entheogens. - Today’s episode is brought to you by North Spore, who makes mushroom cultivation approachable for curious beginners and experienced home growers. North Spore’s grow kits, spawn, substrates, and lab supplies let you explore the process of growing your own gourmet and medicinal mushrooms right at home. Start your next grow with North Spore Use code PSYCHEPASSAGE for 10% off - Psychedelic Passage is your partner in safe, supported, and effective psychedelic journeys. As the first concierge service in the U.S., we connect you with vetted facilitators who value integrity and expertise. We're glad you're here, and we look forward to supporting you on your journey. No mushroom source? No problem. Download our Free Psilocybin Sourcing Guide. Want guidance tailored to your need? Book a free Pathfinding Call for personal support. Curious or seeking connection? Join our online care community to learn, share, and grow with others. Join our next Q&A or Facilitator Chat for free.
