The Psychedelic Podcast

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Michael Madera, psychologist, executive coach, and author of "Playing Tag on the Roof." He is also a graduate of The Psychedelic Coaching Institute’s Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12]. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-283/?ref=278 [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-283/?ref=278] Michael shares his journey of growing up in a narcissistic family environment, where his father became a con man and his mother a Buddhist nun. He discusses how psychedelics, Internal Family Systems therapy, and other modalities helped him heal from childhood trauma and informed his approach to coaching family businesses. Through his work and personal experience, Michael illuminates the complex interplay between family dynamics, leadership, and the transformative potential of psychedelic medicines. Michael D. Madera is a psychologist, author, and executive coach specializing in family business dynamics and innovative healing modalities. Trained at Harvard institutions, he combines traditional psychology with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and breathwork facilitation. His recently released book "Playing Tag on the Roof" explores recovery from narcissistic family dynamics through psychedelics and love. Michael's articles in Family Business press are frequently among the most downloaded in the field. He leads transformative plant medicine retreats in Costa Rica and maintains an active coaching practice helping individuals and family businesses thrive. Beyond his professional work, Michael leads a Boston-based dance band and enjoys sports. He lives near Boston with his wife and two college-age sons. Highlights: * Growing up between Toronto and Boston  * Journey to becoming a psychologist  * Understanding narcissistic personalities * Growing up with narcissistic parents  * Healing through psychotherapy and meditation  * The three circles of family business * Psychedelics' role in healing trauma * IFS and psychedelic integration  * Ancestral patterns in family businesses Episode Links: * Resounding Circles [https://resoundingcircles.com/] * Madera Partners Consulting [https://maderapartners.com/] * Dr. Madera’s new book, “Playing Tag on the Roof: Recovering from a narcissistic family through love and psychedelics” [https://playingtagontheroof.com/] Episode Sponsor: * The Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=tw-podcast-ad] by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Wendy Tucker, board chair of Shulgin Farm and owner of Transform Press. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-282-wendy-tucker/?ref=278 [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-282-wendy-tucker/?ref=278] Wendy shares intimate stories about her stepfather Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin and mother Ann, including their remarkable love story and groundbreaking work in psychedelic research. She discusses the historic significance of the Shulgin Farm, where Sasha's famous lab produced over 200 novel compounds, and details current efforts to preserve this important piece of psychedelic history. The conversation explores the Shulgins' legacy of open science, collaborative research, and their impact on the current psychedelic renaissance. Highlights: * History of Shulgin Farm and its significance since 1935  * The love story of Sasha and Ann Shulgin * MDMA, 2-CB, and a litmus test of lovemaking * The Shulgins’ legacy of bold research and open science * The longterm vision of the Farm and Shulgin Foundation * Wendy's initial impressions of Sasha * Sasha's methodical approach to creating and testing new compounds * The 1994 DEA raid and its impact * Transform Press and the story of PiHKAL & TiHKAL * Current preservation efforts and fundraising goals Links: * Shulgin Farm [https://shulginfarm.org/] * Transform Press [https://transformpress.com/] * Instagram: @shulginfoundation [https://www.instagram.com/shulginfoundation/] Episode Sponsor: * The Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=tw-podcast-ad] by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In this solo cast episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin shares deep insights on why group work is essential for practitioners in the psychedelic space. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-281/?ref=278 [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-281/?ref=278] Drawing from Richard Rohr's essay on liminality and his own transformative experiences at Synthesis, Paul explores how collective psychedelic experiences create powerful containers for growth and transformation. He emphasizes three core aspects of effective group work—embodiment, nature connectedness, and community—while making a compelling case for why practitioners must "walk the walk" through their own guided group experiences before supporting others. Highlights: * Liminality and its relationship to psychedelic experiences * Personal story of group experience at Synthesis retreat  * The importance of "walking the walk" as practitioners  * Three core aspects of retreat work: embodiment, nature connectedness, and community * The significance of choosing the right community for growth  * Guidance for practitioners considering group experiences  Episode Links: * Third Wave’s Psychedelic Intensive in Costa Rica [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/psychedelic-intensive/?ref=12] * The Psychedelic Coaching Institute’s Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12] Paul F. Austin is one of the most prominent voices in the world of psychedelics, and is the author of Mastering Microdosing: How to Use Sub-Perceptual Psychedelics to Heal Trauma, Improve Performance, and Transform Your Life. As the founder of Third Wave and Psychedelic Coaching Institute, he has educated millions on the importance of safe and effective psychedelic experiences. A pioneer at the intersection of microdosing, personal transformation, and professional success, he has been featured in Forbes, Rolling Stone, and the BBC’s Worklife. Paul helps others use microdosing as a tool for professional development and increased self-awareness by treating the use of psychedelics as a skill refined through mentorship and courageous exploration. Learning how to master this skill will be crucial in the story of humanity’s present-future evolution.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes food and nature writer Eugenia Bone to discuss her new book, "Have a Good Trip: Exploring the Magic Mushroom Experience." Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-280?ref=278 [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-280?ref=278] Drawing from extensive research, personal experimentation, and interviews, Eugenia shares insights into the world of psilocybin mushrooms, from cultivation to ceremonial use. She explores the intersection of citizen science and clinical research, the role of indigenous wisdom, and offers a balanced perspective on the current psychedelic renaissance. Eugenia Bone is food and nature writer whose work has appeared in many anthologies, magazines, and newspapers, including The New York Times, The National Lampoon, Saveur, Gourmet, BBC Science, and The Wall Street Journal, where she is a frequent book reviewer. She is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and former president of the New York Mycological Society. She is faculty at the New York Botanical Garden where she teaches classes on psychedelic mushrooms and mycophagy. She is the author or co-author of nine books on food and biology, and has won or been nominated for a variety of awards, including the Nautilus Award, the Colorado Book Award and the James Beard Award. Eugenia has been featured on many dozens of radio shows and podcasts, lectured widely in diverse venues like The New York Public Library, the Denver Botanical Garden and The telluride Mushroom Festival where she is a regular presenter. She is featured in the documentary directed by Louie Schwartzberg, Fantastic Fungi (2019), and in the Netflix children’s show about food, Waffles + Mochi (the mushroom episode) produced by Michele Obama’s Higher Ground Productions. Highlights: * Introduction to Eugenia's new book and her approach to writing about psychedelics  * The process of researching and writing "Have a Good Trip" * The "Noccers" of Seattle: Urban mushroom cultivation activists * Experience with indigenous ceremonies and curanderas * Personal journey with mushroom cultivation * The role of citizen science in psychedelic research * Insights from microdosing experiences * Final wisdom about having a good trip Episode Links: * Eugenia’s website [http://www.eugeniabone.com/] * Eugenia's book, Have a Good Trip [https://amzn.to/4g1kYcH] * Instagram: @EugeniaGBone [https://www.instagram.com/eugeniagbone/] * Eugenia's Substack [https://substack.com/@eugeniabone] These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links. Episode Sponsor: * The Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=tw-podcast-ad] by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.

In Part 2 of this profound conversation, Paul Chek delves deep into the relationship between psychedelics, personal mythology, and spiritual development. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-279-paul-chek/?ref=278 [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-279-paul-chek/?ref=278]  He explores how plant medicines can help unveil our individual myths while emphasizing the critical importance of proper preparation and sacred intention. Drawing from decades of experience as both a therapist and medicine carrier, Paul discusses the delicate balance between therapeutic potential and risk, sharing insights about the nature of God, consciousness, and responsible engagement with powerful medicines. He offers wisdom about the differences between recreational and ceremonial use, while exploring how our relationship with power, mind, love, and money influences our medicine experiences. Use code THIRDWAVE15 for 15% off any membership at Spirit Gym at myspiritgym.com [https://myspiritgym.com] Paul Chek is a world-renowned expert in the fields of corrective and high-performance exercise kinesiology, stress management, holistic wellness and integrative lifestyle management. For over forty years, Paul’s unique, integrated approach to coaching and education has changed the lives of many of his clients, his students and their clients. By treating the body as a integrated system of systems and finding the root cause of a problem, Paul has been successful where traditional approaches have consistently failed. Author of numerous books, videos and professional development courses, he is the creator of Spirit Gym, founder of the CHEK Institute, and the host of the popular Spirit Gym with Paul Chek podcast. Highlights: * Paul explains his vaporized tobacco blend * Understanding myth and its role in psychedelic experiences * Importance of preparation and screening for ceremonies * Four key areas of life to examine before ceremony: power, mental energy, love, & money * Managing power and responsibility with plant medicines * Distinctions between sacred use and recreational consumption * Spirit Gym and Paul's comprehensive teaching approach Links: * Part 1 of this 2-part conversation with Paul Chek [https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-278-paul-chek/] * Chek Institute [https://chekinstitute.com/] * Spirit Gym (use code THIRDWAVE15 for 15% off any membership) [https://myspiritgym.com] * paulchek.com [https://paulchek.com] * Paul’s YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/paulcheklive] Episode Sponsor: * The Practitioner Certification Program [https://edu.psychedeliccoaching.institute/practitioner-certification-program/?ref=12&utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=tw-podcast-ad] by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.