Robin Arnott & Sandeep Prakash: Training for Psychedelic Surrender

Ismail Lourido Ali (MAPS): The Work No Executive Order Can Do

"We can pass 10 executive orders. We can put $500 million for drug development. And if we don't have people who are willing to hold that space... we're not going to get anywhere." - Ismail Lourido Ali, MAP Co-CEO On April 18th, just days before 420, Bicycle Day and MAPS’ own 40th anniversary, Donald Trump signed an executive order on psychedelics. But what does it mean? Especially for psychedelic practitioners themselves. Today on the Psychedelic Therapy Podcast I sit down with MAPS Co-Executive Director Ismail Lourido Ali to learn what it actually means for the people doing the work. Together we unpack the executive order from the ground up: what it legally can and can't do, why ibogaine has suddenly kicked down the door while MDMA and psilocybin wait in line, and the strange political alchemy that made this happen. We cover the key distinctions between decriminalization, medicalization, and legalization; MAPS' evolving role as a multicultural bridge-builder at this pivot point; the sovereignty of Gabon and the very real risks of biopiracy in ibogaine's commercialization; and the danger of silver-bullet thinking. The conversation ends with the practitioners themselves, and the irreplaceable human work of preparation, presence, and integration that no executive order can replicate. Ismail Lourido Ali, JD is the Co-Executive Director of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) alongside co-director Betty Aldworth. A philosopher by training and a lawyer by vocation, he previously served as MAPS Director of Policy, worked in criminal justice reform at the ACLU of Northern California, and co-founded the Psychedelic Bar Association. He has been active in psychedelic drug policy reform for over a decade. Timestamps:  * (01:00) Ismail's first six months as MAPS Co-CEO  * (07:00) Decrim, medicalization, legalization  * (12:00) What Trump's executive order actually does (and doesn't do)  * (19:00) Why ibogaine? Origins, the opioid crisis, and the perfect storm  * (30:00) The political alchemy behind the signing  * (34:00) Where MAPS fits in this pivotal moment  * (46:00) The Nagoya Protocol, Gabon's sovereignty, and the risk of biopiracy  * (56:00) Silver bullets vs. real healing Links: * Ismail L. Ali, J.D., Co-Executive Director — MAPS [https://maps.org/people/ismail-l-ali-jd/] * Ismail Lourido Ali (@sage_izzy) [https://www.instagram.com/sage_izzy/] * MAPS Board Names Aldworth and Ali as Co-Executive Directors [https://maps.org/2025/09/09/maps-board-of-directors-names-betty-aldworth-and-ismail-lourido-ali-as-co-executive-directors/] * A Practitioner Statement on the Responsible Development of Ibogaine in the United States – Open Letter [https://psychedelicstoday.com/2026/04/16/a-practitioner-statement-on-the-responsible-development-of-ibogaine-in-the-united-states-open-letter/]

Robin Arnott & Sandeep Prakash: Training for Psychedelic Surrender

Can we practice the art of surrender before the first dose? Today on the show Robin Arnott and Dr. Sandeep Prakash explain how SoundSelf evolved from a VR curiosity into a clinically oriented tool that uses sound and light feedback to induce the unitary states therapists aim for in medicine sessions. We unpack the science of voice-activated biofeedback, ways to weave SoundSelf into preparation and integration protocols, and the larger promise of digital therapeutics for scalable, whole-person care. SoundSelf is a voice-guided, audio-visual platform that primes the nervous system for psychedelic-level surrender and supports post-session integration. Robin Arnott is the former CEO of Andromeda Entertainment, and author of The Technodelic Manifesto. Dr. Sandeep Prakash is a leading Psychedelic Researcher trained at California Institute of Integral Studies. Together they aim to set a new gold standard for tech-enabled mental health. Soundself is launching a new expansion: a tablet pre-configured with SoundSelf. Psychedelic Therapy Podcast listeners who order before May 9 2025 get this $600 upgrade free, plus a two-month evaluation window. Explore it for yourself at: www.soundself.com/ptp [http://www.soundself.com/ptp] Timestamps: * (03:46) The Origin and Evolution of SoundSelf * (08:15) Exploring the Science and Application of SoundSelf * (21:42) Voice Activated Biofeedback and Its Impact * (30:47) The Role of SoundSelf in Psychedelic Therapy * (35:43) Combining SoundSelf with Psychedelics * (38:47) Future of Digital Therapeutics

Joshua White: Who You Gonna Call? Fireside

Imagine you’re in the middle of a psychedelic journey—things are getting intense, and you just need someone to talk to. That’s whereFireside Project comes in. As the world’s first psychedelic peer support line, Fireside is redefining how we care for each other in altered states, offering a space where anyone can find guidance, validation, and a steady voice in uncertain moments. But beyond the helpline, Fireside is also an incredible entry point for those looking to work in the field of psychedelic support. If you’re a practitioner, facilitator, or simply curious about holding space for others, this conversation is for you. In this episode, Fireside Executive Director Joshua White breaks down the essential skills for psychedelic peer support, from understanding the differences between coaching, therapy, and crisis intervention to mastering theart of presence. We explore whyvalidation is often more powerful than de-escalation, the growing importance ofintegration coaching, and the pitfalls ofself-abandonment in the psychedelic industry. Plus, we dig into what it really means toheal the wounded healer—the emotional labor of this work and how to care for yourself while caring for others. Joshua White is the Founder and Executive Director of Fireside Project, a nonprofit dedicated to making psychedelic support accessible and culturally attuned at scale. Through itsPsychedelic Support Line, Fireside provides real-time help for those navigating challenging experiences, while itsFireside-Certified Psychedelic Coaching Program offers deeper, long-term integration support. Before founding Fireside, Joshua was a Deputy City Attorney for San Francisco, where he fought against businesses exploiting vulnerable communities and co-taught a nationally recognized Yale Law School clinic. Now, he’s bringing his passion for advocacy, harm reduction, and healing to the psychedelic space—reshaping how we support one another on these journeys. Timetamps * (04:38) Joshua White's Personal Journey * (09:00) The Art of Presence * (11:48) Distinguishing Peer Support, Coaching, and Psychotherapy * (21:07) Fireside Project's Approach to Support * (35:46) The Future of Psychedelic Support and AI * (41:41) The Need for Long-Term Support in Psychedelic Therapy * (47:07) Challenges in the Psychedelic  Industry * (52:37) Balancing Personal Well-being and Professional Commitment * (59:12) The Importance of Peer Support * (01:08:16) Joshua White's Transition Announcement Links * Fireside Project: Psychedelic Coaching & Peer Support Line [https://firesideproject.org/] * Fireside Project (@firesideproject) [https://www.instagram.com/firesideproject/?hl=en] * Curious about becoming Fireside’s new ED? [https://firesideproject.org/join-our-team]

Tom Feegel: Ibogaine for Cognitive Enhancement

A month ago, I had the privilege of visiting Beond in Cancun, Mexico to experience an ibogaine treatment for cognitive enhancement. Today, I’m joined by Beond CEO Tom Feegel to discuss how this remarkable medicine can support a better brain. In this episode, we explore Tom’s personal journey with Ibogaine, its potential to revolutionize addiction treatment, and how it supports cognitive enhancement. We discuss key safety concerns, the importance of integrity in healing, and Tom’s reflections on this transformative medicine. Finally, we look ahead to the future of psychedelic access and its impact on mental health worldwide. Tom Feegel is co-founder of Beond Ibogaine, an ibogaine-assisted treatment and research center in Mexico for trauma, PTSD, addiction, and health optimization. He was previously CEO of EO Products, and a founding executive at Brandless. A father of five, Tom lives in Mexico and continues to push boundaries in mental health and addiction recovery. Timestamps 06:25 Tom’s Personal Journey with Ibogaine 10:25 Ibogaine's Impact on Cognitive Enhancement 17:42 Safety Concerns and Proper Use of Ibogaine 27:53 Clinical Environment vs. Shamanic Experience 36:20 Cognitive Enhancement with Ibogaine: Latest Research 40:38 Who Should Consider Ibogaine Therapy? 50:25 The Importance of Integrated Healing 56:41 Access and Inequality in Psychedelic Therapy Links

Juan Pablo Capello: A Wakeup Call for Ketamine Telehealth Companies

Today, I’m joined by Juan Pablo Capello, co-founder and former CEO of New Life Health, a telehealth ketamine therapy service launched in 2021. Juan Pablo has raised concerns about low standards of care in telehealth ketamine, making this a timely conversation about the opportunities and challenges in this growing industry. In our discussion, Juan Pablo shares how his early experiences with Wachuma inspired his interest in psychedelics for mental health. We address key topics, including the potential for ketamine addiction, the impact of Matthew Perry’s death on the psychedelic community, and the surprising role of insurance companies in shaping telehealth standards. We also explore the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Juan Pablo’s work with the Eagle Condor Church, and how integration is best approached as a community effort. Juan Pablo is a seasoned entrepreneur who co-founded a leading Latin American crowdfunding platform and a creative campus in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District. As the former CEO of New Life Health, now part of Beckley Waves, he continues to engage in work that bridges innovation, care, and community in the psychedelic space. Timestamps * (06:00) Juan Pablo’s background in Chile and his experience with Wachuma * (11:30) Why ketamine is used in mental health treatment * (21:00) Is ketamine addictive? * (25:00) Matthew Perry’s death as a wake-up call for the ketamine community * (36:00) The surprising regulatory influence of insurance companies * (41:00) The Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Eagle Condor Church * (53:00) The lack of integration in traditional psychedelic therapy contexts * (57:00) Integration as a community-driven process Links * Juan Pablo Cappello - PAG Law PLLC [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-pablo-cappello-52692b56] * Matthew Perry's Death Shows Ketamine Industry Needs a Wakeup Call [https://www.businessinsider.com/matthew-perry-death-ketamine-therapy-telehealth-2024-8] * Nue Life | At Home Ketamine Therapy [https://nue.life/]