Show Notes
Episode 45 - Betty Aldworth Psychedelic Exceptionalism - Why It Matters The topic of psychedelic exceptionalism is often misunderstood, controversial and quite frankly not talked about enough. As the modern psychedelic movement progresses it's so important that we, as a community, stop and talk about the bigger picture of where psychedelics fit into the larger conversation of drug policy. This episode of the MAPS podcast explores this in detail thanks to the wisdom and knowledge of Betty Aldworth. Prior to becoming Director of Communications and Events at MAPS in 2020, Betty Aldworth was the Executive Director of Students for Sensible Drug Policy where she led and supported tens of thousands of students and young people united to build a more sensible future through reforming drug policies to be rooted in safety, justice, and education. Beginning in 2014, Betty led the organization through its most substantial growth period and in 2020 left the organization in its most stable and sustainable position in its year history. Since 1999, Betty has specialized in community engagement, public relations, advocacy, and policy reform for nonprofit organizations and, twice, businesses including as spokesperson and advocacy director for the successful 2012 Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the collaborative committee responsible for legalizing, taxing and regulating marijuana for adults in Colorado. An activist and advocate since her first anti-nukes demonstration as a child, Betty organized her first action at 13 and learned her first hard lessons in coalition building when it was attended only by her mom. Betty fights to end the drug war to end mass incarceration, reengage citizens in the political process, and build racial and economic justice.
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Episode 17 - Martha Hammel and Tasia Pointsatte: Colorado and Beyond Martha and Tasia drop in to this episode of the podcast to educate us all on the future of psychedelic medicines through the lens of what's been happening in Colorado as a result of Prop 122, the Natural Medicine Act. Colorado has really laid the groundwork for all other states to follow and both Martha and Tasia know better than anyone as to what's working and what isn't. Also, they are the chairs of the Aspen Psychedelic Symposium which takes place on June 6th and 7th in Aspen. Their leadership has gone on to shape one of the great psychedelic gatherings on the planet! Martha Hammel is an advocate, activist, and educator in the psychedelic space. She holds a master's degree in nutrition in which she focused on the intersection of emotional trauma, addiction, and gut health. In her private coaching practice she supports clients through transformation healing, through nutrition, functional movement, psychedelic integration, and spiritual connection. She supports her local community as the executive director of the Aspen Psychedelic Resource Center, which provides community education and outreach regarding the safe use of plant medicine in the Roaring Fork Valley. Additionally, she provides integration support at 4 Winds farm, a women's transformational recovery center in Glenwood springs, and is an advisor for the National Psychedelic Association, supporting the psychedelic industry as it emerges in Oregon and Colorado. Tasia Poinsatte serves as the Colorado Director of the Healing Advocacy Fund (HAF), a nonprofit that works to protect and expand safe, affordable state-regulated access to psychedelic healing for all who need it. Her role involves extensive community engagement, bringing a range of perspectives, knowledge and experience into Colorado's policy process to set up a state-regulated psilocybin therapy program that is responsive to the diverse needs of those who will seek guidance and care in the new licensed framework. Prior to joining HAF, Tasia conducted research and advised strategy on progressive campaigns and causes in the US and internationally. Her background in qualitative and quantitative public opinion research informs her understanding of how to navigate and engage a tapestry of experiences, values and worldviews, seeking where possible to find the common threads that connect us.
Episode 16 - Mike Finoia: The Comedy of Conscious Aging Do you ever feel like aging is a mysterious portal trapped with an existential void? Well, I do. But after Mike dropped into this episode of the podcast my own fears have softened and evolved into a much wiser and softer view of the whole thing. Mike shares some of his most recent psychedelic experiences and how they have brought him closer to his own brand of conscious aging. Not only is Mike funny (he is a professional comedian, duh) but he is also wise, compassionate and on to something! I enjoyed this one immensely. Intro: Ram Dass on commpassionate aging The Aspen Psychedelic Symposium is June 6 and 7th- get tickets at: https://aspenpsychedelicresourcecenter.org/symposium
Episode 15 - Dr. Joe Tafur: His Medicine Song Dr. Joe Tafur returns to the podcast to talk about his fantastic new book "Medicine Song: Spiritual Healing and The Psychedelic Renaissance." This conversation, like Joe's book, is a personal glimpse into his very unique perspective on shamanic medicines through the lens of a western doctor that has been transformed into something new entirely. To say that Joe is any one thing is short sighted. Joe embodies the best standards and practices of ceremonial use but delivers it in a way that is humble, approachable and so full of wisdom. Intro: a recap on the questions we need to ask ourselves in the face of Trump's exeuctive order fast tracking FDA approval for psychedelic medicines. This episode is sponsored by Amentara Ethnobotanicals - https://www.amentara.com/ www.zachleary.net https://www.drjoetafur.com/ www.psychedelicstoday.com
This episode of the podast is sponsored my Amentara Enthobotanicals Visit: https://www.amentara.com/ and use the code LEARY22 to receive 22% off of your first order. --------- Comedian Shane Mauss drops into the episode of the podcast to bring his one and only fantastasical wit and insights into our minds and maybe even our souls! Shanes perspective on the psychedelic movement, science and mysticism is truly one of a kind. Turn up the volume and see if you can keep up with him! I did but only barely. His new comedy special TRIPS: First Dose is now live on YouTube on the 800lb Gorilla channel. Shane Mauss is an award-winning comedian (Conan, Kimmel, Comedy Central, Prime) with a fondness for interviewing scientists about the bizarre and counterintuitive ways the mind works and turning what he learns into solo shows that blend philosophy with comedy. Originally recognized for his cerebral, absurdist writing and understated delivery, he veered off the traditional path to dive into bigger ideas with themed shows about consciousness, animal mating behavior, mental health, mythology, adaptations, cognitive errors, biology, and AI. After a 111 city tour about psychedelics in 2017 which led to appearances on the biggest podcasts, his documentary 'Psychonautics', and the Comedy Central webseries 'Tales From The Trip' Shane became known as someone who could speak to wild experiences from a surprisingly grounded perspective.
Episode 13 - Joe Moore: The State of The Union This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Amentara Ethnobotanicals. Head over to: https://www.amentara.com/go/leary Here we have an all new interview with non other than the great Joe Moore! We all know and love Joe for his continued work with Psychedelics Today but how many of you really know Joe and his wildy multi-disciplinary approach to life, spirituality, politics and psychedelics? Our conversation covered so much that it's impossible to distill it down into a few sentances. But sit down, relax and tune in! Joe Moore is the CEO and co-founder of Psychedelics Today. www.psychedelicstoday.com www.zachleary.net