Show Notes
This episode of the MAPS podcast takes us through the deeply moving and inspirational story of Justin Lapree, a veteran who nearly lost everything and then came through the otherside to help lead the charge on providing sacred medicinal care to our veterans and first responders. No single population has moved the needle in helping the world to understand how psychedelics can be used effective than our veterans. Justin's story will move you in ways that are both inspirational and frustrating when you learn how under served the veteran population really is. Justin Lapree served in the Marine Corps from 2001 to 2005. His second deployment to Iraq in 2004 left him at the bottom of a dark abyss upon his return home, and the Middle East took something from him, that he wouldn't come to understand for years to come. During his five years as an Austin Firefighter, he would witness a magnitude of traumatic events where lives were lost; mass shootings, the Austin serial bomber, consistent overdoses, and fatality collisions. While he had come so far since his failed suicide attempt in 2018, he noticed the darkness once more creeping in because of his job environment. In February 2022, he resigned from the Fire Department knowing he'd found a higher purpose and wanted to serve in another way. Thus, Heroic Path to Light was born. His vision was to create a non-profit that served the Veteran, First Responder and Gold/White star communities in hopes that their suffering could end by building community and utilizing sacred entheogenic ceremonies. "As the Founder and President of Heroic Path to Light, I'm still on my journey, but want to meet you where you are, because I have seen firsthand that healing happens in community and together, we can get through anything."
More from Psychedelics Then and Now with Zach Leary
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