Episode 57 - Neil Woods, The Real Story Behind The War on Drugs
Psychedelics Then and Now with Zach LearyShow Notes
Episode 57 - Neil Woods, The Real Story Behind The War on Drugs The mighty, wise and brilliant Neil Woods joins Zach on this all new episode of the MAPS Podcast. Neil discusses his insights when he spent 13 years as an undercover drugs operative in the UK and how his experiences led to an awakening to course correct and lead the charge in fighting the war on drugs. Neil is a wonderfully eloquent speaker and story teller, you won't want to miss his one of a kind insight into a global war that has failed nearly everyone involved. Neil is a former UK police officer and undercover drugs operative. Now he's an active member of the international drug policy reform movement. He worked undercover between 1993 and 2007 befriending and gaining the trust of some of the most violent, unpredictable criminals in Britain.
With the insight that can only come from having fought on its front lines, Neil came to see the true futility of the War on Drugs - that it demonises those who need help, and empowers the very worst elements in society. Neil is a board member of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership (LEAP) in the USA, and in the U.K. (LEAP UK).
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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