Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ

120 Episodes

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Third Wave of Psychedelics with Paul. F Austin

2026-02-1457:10

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Paul F. Austin. Paul is a leading pioneer in the modern psychedelic movement, founder of Third Wave, author of Mastering Microdosing, host of The Psychedelic Podcast, and head of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. He focuses on psychedelic education, microdosing protocols, and training practitioners to help scale the responsible use of these medicines in the modern world. We touch upon topics of 00:01–00:44 Introduction to Paul F. Austin and his work 00:44–03:14 Paul’s early LSD experiences and conservative upbringing 03:14–04:17 First microdosing protocol and founding Third Wave 04:18–07:08 Convincing his parents and guiding his dad through a mushroom journey 07:09–10:01 Parent–child healing and psychedelic experiences together 10:02–13:29 The “third wave” of psychedelics explained (indigenous → LSD era → today) 13:30–15:45 Microdosing as the safest path to legalization and cultural acceptance 15:46–17:29 Stepwise dosing and retreat philosophies 17:30–20:16 Why different psychedelics require different approaches 20:17–22:09 Psilocybin tolerance and retreat spacing strategies 22:10–27:29 Microdosing LSD vs psilocybin vs wachuma 27:30–30:48 Vine-only microdosing and adaptogenic effects 30:49–35:34 Psychedelics vs SSRIs and the “crutch” metaphor 35:35–41:39 Importance of psychedelic education and practitioner training 41:40–45:38 Addiction, cannabis dependence, and integration 45:39–49:15 “CEO medicine” and psychedelics for conscious leadership 49:16–52:27 What Paul is excited about in 2026 and the future of psychedelics If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Paul F. Austin at thethirdwave.co and follow him on social media at @PaulAustin3W

12 MMA fighters drink Ayahuasca together

2026-02-1001:33:48

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with a group of MMA fighters, veterans, and researchers from the Athletes Journey Home Foundation. The episode features Ian McCall, Mark “The Shark” Irwin, Luke Jensen, and several fighters including Matthew Morton, Clinton Foshee, Faith Phillips, Jared Fekete, and Fernando Marrero, sharing their stories of trauma, traumatic brain injuries, addiction, military service, and how ayahuasca may support healing and recovery. We touch upon topics of 00:01–04:20 Vision of fighters drinking ayahuasca and creation of the MMA retreat 04:20–08:30 Ian McCall, Athletes Journey Home, and the purpose of the retreat 08:30–14:50 Mark Irwin’s psychedelic journey and fighting career 14:50–20:30 Ian’s experience with ayahuasca, ibogaine, and fighter healing 20:30–27:40 Group dynamics of fighters in ceremony and shared vulnerability 27:40–34:30 Luke Jensen’s neuroscience research and QEEG findings 34:30–44:10 Matthew Morton's addiction, trauma, and ayahuasca experience 44:10–52:30 Clinton Foshee’s traumatic brain injury and cognitive improvements 52:30–01:04:00 Faith’s military PTSD, feminine energy, and ayahuasca healing 01:04:00–01:14:20 Jared’s veteran journey, relationships, and inner transformation 01:14:20–01:27:30 Fernando Marrero’s life story, fighting career, and TBI recovery If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Athletes Journey Home at athletesjourneyhome.org and follow Ian McCall on social media.

Wade Davis, one river, Amazon and pharmacological mystery of Ayahuasca

2026-02-0401:42:12

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Wade Davis. Wade is a world-renowned ethnobotanist, anthropologist, and explorer; former National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence; and author of One River, The Serpent and the Rainbow, The Wayfinders, and Magdalena. Together, they explore Wade’s early journey into Colombia, Richard Evans Schultes, the roots of Yahé/ayahuasca knowledge, ayahuasca tourism, and Wade’s mission to liberate coca from the shadow of cocaine. We touch upon topics of 00:01–00:52 Wade Davis intro and why this conversation matters 00:55–09:38 Wade’s first arrival in Colombia, “destiny,” and meeting Schultes (plus Schultes’ advice to try ayahuasca) 09:38–22:55 Did Schultes go deep with entheogens? Set & setting, pioneers, and the psychedelic era context 22:55–25:28 Yahé vs ayahuasca in Colombia: pharmacology, MAOIs, admixture plants, and early research 25:28–36:02 Why Peru became the ayahuasca “center” and how access shaped tourism (and why Colombia being overlooked helped) 36:02–41:10 Colombia, violence, and the “peace dividend” of a more intact Amazon 41:10–01:01:38 Coca: benefits, racism behind demonization, nutrition, WHO/UN policies, and why it matters for Colombia 01:01:38–01:14:23 Wade’s travels, National Geographic mission, and the McKenna brothers story (Dennis vs Terence) 01:14:23–01:27:16 Ayahuasca vs other entheogens: frequency, respect, terrifying vs ecstatic experiences, San Pedro comparisons 01:27:16–01:33:04 Sam’s “third S” (skill): preparation, dosage, integration, and how modern retreats can work well 01:33:04–01:36:31 Wade’s closing lesson: “Take your side and get on with it” 01:36:31–01:37:59 Where to start with Wade’s books + invitation to visit LaWayra If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Wade Davis at www.daviswade.com

From Ayahuasca to Breathwork: Trauma, Healing, and Integration

2026-01-2801:08:26

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , an Australian multi-instrumentalist, ceremonialist, and trauma-informed facilitator best known for his work in Spiritus Breathwork, somatic healing, and sound-based transformation. With over a decade of experience, Tim blends breath, movement, energy work, and music to guide deep healing and integration. We touch upon topics of: Tim’s journey from elite Muay Thai fighter to healer after a life-altering injury (00:41–02:16) First Aya experiences, shamanic awakening, and long-term integration (02:16–03:46) Apprenticeship in the jungle and the origins of Spiritus Breathwork (04:16–06:41) Breathwork vs Aya: similarities, differences, and altered states (11:56–17:59) Trauma, nervous system regulation, and somatic healing (16:32–29:56) Dangers of spiritual bypassing and over-doing the work (30:05–34:01) Breathwork inside ceremony: grounding vs amplifying (34:15–38:47) Sound, music, and vibration as healing technologies (58:19–62:33) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Tim Morrison on Instagram at @timmorrison__ or contact him at info@tim-morrison.com.

Metta Beshay, citizen science in Amazon, Gringo experiences, Icaros and Ayahuasca tourism.

2026-01-2001:01:55

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Metta Beshay, a filmmaker, musician, and creator known for his citizen-scientist approach to ethnobotany and plant traditions. Metta explores misunderstood substances, Indigenous cultures, and the realities behind modern plant-medicine tourism with humor, skepticism, and deep curiosity. We touch upon topics of: Metta’s path from viral videos to ethnobotany storytelling (03:30–05:00) The realities of the Amazon jungle vs romanticized ideas (34:00–36:30) Indigenous cultures, tribal politics, and modern monetization (07:30–09:30) Comparing Aya experiences with other altered states (26:00–28:00) Music, icaros, and sound as a healing tool (19:00–24:00) Spirituality vs skepticism and cultural context (38:00–41:30) Ethics of retreat culture and shaman training (43:30–45:30) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Metta Beshay on YouTube and Instagram at @MettaBeshay

Ceremonial Cacao, Connection & Integration with Danielle de Kisere

2026-01-1401:03:18

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , founder of . Based in Colombia, Danielle has spent over a decade working closely with Indigenous communities to produce ethically sourced, high-quality ceremonial cacao. Her work bridges traditional knowledge, sustainability, and modern processing while supporting local farmers and regenerative practices. We touch upon topics of: Danielle’s first Aya experiences and how they led her to cacao (02:00–05:30) Building Origin Cacao with Indigenous communities in Colombia (06:00–11:00) Cacao as a daily connection practice vs ceremonial use (13:00–20:30) Cacao as an integration tool after Aya ceremonies (21:00–26:30) Ethics, sourcing, and avoiding exploitative cacao industries (29:00–32:30) Fermentation, roasting, and why “raw cacao” is a myth (55:00–58:30) Replacing coca crops with cacao and Colombia’s agricultural future (38:30–44:30) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Danielle de Kisere and her work at origencacao.com and on Instagram @origencacao.

Laughing at the Psychedelic Space Without Losing the Message

2026-01-0901:07:41

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , also known as Mycopreneur. Dennis is the creator of Mycopreneur, often called the “Onion of the psychedelic space,” a leading media platform exploring the business, culture, and future of mushrooms through sharp satire, journalism, and long-form interviews with founders, scientists, and visionaries. We touch upon topics of: Dennis’ early fascination with mushrooms and altered states (01:30–04:30) Humor and satire as tools for integration and cultural critique (05:00–10:00) Trustafarians, influencer culture, and spiritual ego (07:20–12:00) Ethical concerns, wild-west dynamics, and retreat culture (12:20–16:30) Visionary exploration vs healing journeys over time (16:30–20:30) The role of the jester archetype in psychedelic culture (22:00–24:30) Meme culture, media, and modern communication (51:00–55:30) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Dennis Walker at mycopreneur.com, on Instagram @mycopreneur, and through the Mycopreneur newsletter and podcast.

Psychedelics, Addiction, and Recovery with Rick Barnett

2026-01-0602:11

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , a clinical psychologist, licensed alcohol and drug counselor, and co-founder of the Psychedelic Society of Vermont. With decades of experience in addiction, anxiety, and depression treatment, Rick bridges traditional recovery models with modern psychedelic-assisted therapy, drawing from both personal recovery and clinical practice. We touch upon topics of: Rick’s early addiction and path into recovery (00:50–05:30) Addiction, youth, and the challenge of getting sober early (03:50–06:00) Replacing addiction with meaning, purpose, and spirituality (07:48–11:00) Psychedelics, sobriety, and common fears around relapse (12:14–16:05) Therapy vs retreat models and why multiple paths can work (17:02–19:30) Integration, spiritual bypassing, and real long-term change (21:08–26:00) AA, community, and where recovery models succeed or fail (33:05–36:40) How psychedelics disrupt addictive patterns and cravings (37:46–40:37) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Rick Barnett at vermontpsychedelic.org, on LinkedIn and Instagram at @DrRickBarnett, and through the Solquinox conference in Vermont.

Adeptus Psychonautica: The Dark & Light Side of Ayahuasca Retreats

2025-12-3030:58

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , the creator of the Adeptus Psychonautica YouTube channel. Rob is known for his grounded, humorous, and skeptical approach to altered states, sharing honest self-experiments, retreat reviews, and long-form reflections as “an ordinary person having extraordinary experiences.” We touch upon topics of: How an Aya retreat led Rob to start his YouTube channel (02:55–04:45) Good retreats vs badly run retreats and red flags to watch for (05:10–11:40) Spiritual ego, cult dynamics, and predatory facilitators (08:40–12:30) Separating the medicine experience from the retreat organization (10:00–11:50) Exploring different Aya traditions beyond Peru (13:10–15:20) What it means to be a psychonaut and inner exploration (16:00–19:40) Creativity, storytelling, and integration after difficult life periods (21:00–23:30) Healing family relationships through shared ceremonies (23:30–25:30) Consciousness exploration and daily practice vs ceremony work (26:00–29:20) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Rob and his work on YouTube at Adeptus Psychonautica.

Medicine Song: Dr. Joe Tafur on Mysticism, Healing & the Future of Psychedelics

2025-12-2101:03:48

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with , a Colombian-American family physician, curandero, and author who bridges Western medicine with Amazonian spiritual healing. Trained at UCLA and UCSD, Joe spent six years in the Peruvian Amazon studying Shipibo curanderismo and is the author of . We touch upon topics of: Joe’s journey as a doctor and curandero (01:16–02:22) Why he wrote Medicine Song and what it adds beyond his first book (03:39–05:14) Mystical experiences as a core part of healing (05:14–06:40) The Eagle and the Condor prophecy: science and spirit uniting (06:40–08:32) Measuring spiritual wellbeing and connectedness in research (09:03–11:42) Nature connection as a foundation for healing (13:54–17:56) The state of the psychedelic renaissance today (21:14–25:31) Traditional plant medicine and modern clinical therapies learning from each other (26:27–30:35) The limits of scaling retreats and ethical growth (31:20–44:25) Building a spiritual community and legal recognition in the U.S. (45:08–51:49) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Joe Tafur at www.drjoetafur.com and his work at www.modernspirit.org.

Why integration matters more than the ceremony with Marc Aixala

2025-12-1201:03:14

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Marc Aixalà, a Barcelona-based psychologist, psychotherapist, and former engineer who has become a leading figure in psychedelic integration. Marc is trained in integrative and strategic therapy, is a certified holotropic breathwork facilitator, has worked on MDMA and psilocybin clinical trials, collaborates with ICEERS, and authored Psychedelic Integration (Synergetic Press). We touch upon topics of: Marc’s path from engineer to psychologist (01:01–02:57) How he defines integration & why definitions fall short (03:25–05:40) Marc’s metaphors for integration (puzzle pieces, astronaut, developing photos) (05:40–08:40) Sam’s grocery-shopping metaphor & Marc’s response (08:45–10:49) Two types of integration: crisis vs. growth (10:49–13:55) Seven categories of difficult experiences (13:55–17:10) Preventing harm through preparation & facilitation quality (17:10–18:46) Dose management and psycholytic vs. high-dose models (21:26–26:23) Self-inflicted overdosing & patient expectations (26:23–27:51) Positive/growth integration & the importance of immediate rest (27:51–30:33) Long-term integration: outer behavior vs. inner insight (30:33–32:13) Seven dimensions of integration (spiritual, cognitive, emotional, physical, behavioral, social, time) (32:13–35:33) Avoiding extremes: materialism vs. magical thinking (35:33–36:52) Why people resist integration & who should be concerned (36:52–39:53) Overuse of psychedelics and the risks of “more is better” (45:01–48:33) Spiritual bypassing & misunderstanding ‘light only’ approaches (48:33–52:10) Indigenous approaches vs. Western integration culture (53:08–56:25) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Marc Aixalà at: Instagram: @marcaixala ICEERS Training & Integration Programs: https://www.iceers.org Book: Psychedelic Integration (Synergetic Press)

Bia Labate - the global spread of Ayahuasca, women and plants

2025-12-0401:16:05

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bia Labate, a Brazilian anthropologist, activist, and one of the most influential voices in the global psychedelic movement. She is the executive director of the Chacruna Institute, editor of 28 books, and a champion of Indigenous rights, equity, and cultural integrity in plant medicine spaces. We touch upon topics of: Bia’s early psychedelic explorations and road trip across the Americas (01:02) Her first Ayahuasca experiences and academic journey (02:41) Pre-Google era of plant medicine research and early stigma in Brazil (03:23) Ayahuasca’s paradoxical rise in the digital age (07:54) Loneliness, vulnerable connection, and the appeal of Ayahuasca (09:51) The evolution of Ayahuasca use in Brazil and globally (11:42) Comparing Ayahuasca traditions: Santo Daime, UDV, Shipibo, Huni Kuin (16:32) The limitations of comparing traditions and the food-culture metaphor (19:28) Why Bia has published 28 books and her methodology (21:49) Creating legitimacy for Ayahuasca as a field of study (24:38) The tension between spiritual practice and entrepreneurship (30:51) Ethical complexities of running an Ayahuasca retreat (32:16) Integration circles and her mixed feelings toward them (35:39) The founding, mission, and programs of Chacruna Institute (42:16) Indigenous Reciprocity and Psychedelic Justice initiatives (44:37) Chacruna’s conferences, education, and publications (47:01) Women and psychedelics, invisible labor, and cultural dynamics (50:58) Menstruation taboos in ceremony and cultural relativism (55:44) Ayahuasca’s origins and Colombia’s historical role (59:21) Ayahuasca's global spread to places like Hawaii and Australia (01:03:08) The cultural mission of Chacruna and decolonizing psychedelic narratives (01:09:02) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Bia Labate at www.bialabate.net or on Instagram @labatebia. Learn more about her organization at www.chacruna.net.

Psychedelics in China, Chinese medicine, ayahuasca's effect on genes with Waifung Tsang

2025-11-2401:10:49

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Waifung Tsang. Waifung is a clinical psychologist, researcher and co-founder of Onaya Sciences, bridging Western psychology with indigenous Amazonian plant medicine, Chinese medicine and sound-based therapies. He also advises Heroic Hearts UK and is a TEDx speaker exploring the intersection of trauma, psychedelics and traditional wisdom. We touch upon topics of: (00:55–04:38) Waifung’s journey from music and disillusionment in clinical psychology to ayahuasca research in Peru and co-founding Onaya Sciences (06:34–11:38) Why ayahuasca is almost invisible in China: censorship, historical suppression of spirituality and underground ceremonies (11:38–13:58) Dragons, the Monkey King and how Chinese mythology, Taoism and Buddhism resonate with psychedelic experiences (13:58–19:22) Tai Chi, qigong and Chinese medicine as tools for working with plant diets, chi and ceremony (19:22–24:19) Parallels between Chinese medicine and Latin American folk wisdom: hot/cold foods, grandmothers’ knowledge and collectivist spirituality (24:19–29:20) Emerging ayahuasca circles in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan — encrypted forums, harsh penalties and why many seekers are business people (29:23–34:57) From NHS burnout to the jungle: what Waifung learned from indigenous doctors who treat “whoever comes” with plants, ritual and Icaros (35:13–39:19) Onaya’s research with Heroic Hearts: veterans, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and early multi-modal findings (39:19–43:18) Multi-site collaborations with retreat centers, indigenous advisory boards and studying Icaros, dreams and plant spirits (45:04–47:28) Epigenetics 101: how ayahuasca may influence gene expression and “straighten ancestral lines” — and why much larger samples are needed (52:50–59:29) Medicine music, energy in ceremony, “bad DJs” vs surgical Icaros, and a new EEG study recording shamans’ songs and brain activity (01:01:18–01:04:18) How ayahuasca heals on bio-psycho-social-spiritual levels and why community and integration matter as much as the visions If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Dr. Waifung Tsang and Onaya Sciences at www.onaya.io, www.onaya.science and on Instagram @onaya.io

Dr. Ido Cohen on integration, shadow work and Jungian archetypes

2025-11-1301:01:35

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Ido Cohen, a clinical psychologist specializing in Jungian and relational depth psychology. He is the founder of The Integration Circle, focusing on psychedelic integration, shadow work, and turning peak experiences into lasting transformation. • 00:56 Early experiences in India and discovery of integration • 03:08 Why integration is hard & cultural context • 09:00 The illusion of quick transformation • 12:18 Balancing work, business, and integration • 14:40 Integration for busy modern lives • 19:35 Why self-care feels like work • 22:12 Ceremony continues after the ceremony • 25:07 Archetypal & transpersonal dimensions • 29:42 Common archetypes and possessions • 34:52 Soul, religion & invisible forces • 48:02 What is the shadow and shadow work • 52:20 Shadow encounter vs. shadow work • 56:32 Turning darkness into growth If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Dr. Ido Cohen at theintegrationcircle.com or on Instagram at @theintegrationcircle

Joe Moore - Safe Access, breath work and building a psychedelic informed world

2025-11-0258:49

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Joe Moore, co-founder/CEO of Psychedelics Today. Joe is a longtime voice in psychedelic education and media (700+ interviews), a holotropic breathwork facilitator, and the creator of the Vital year-long training program focused on psychedelic-informed practice and harm reduction. • Origin story: books, Grof, breathwork, first aya, launching Psychedelics Today (01:13–04:17) • 700+ interviews, role split with Kyle (04:17–04:55) • Burnout/community dynamics during Denver decrim (04:59–06:00) • Harm reduction, safe supply, and intra-community conflict (05:46–07:27) • Indigenous exchange, access, climate & conservation takes (09:11–11:18) • Agroforestry & ayahuasca reforestation co-ops (11:18–11:59) • Drug war history, othering, and safe supply vs. prohibition (11:59–16:46) • Rebranding Colombia: coca vs. ayahuasca, fentanyl era (17:43–19:35) • Why psychedelic education matters; Vital’s inclusive scope (20:52–25:40) • What success looks like: humility, community, model-agnosticism (27:52–29:33) • Favorites: Team LSD, mushrooms, 2C-B; psychedelic minimalism (29:33–31:22) • How psychedelics heal: competing models + Grof’s container (33:17–36:39) • Breathwork for prep/integration; box breathing & long cycles (36:39–45:33) • Podcasting as decentralization; universities & free libraries (46:09–50:28) • Bitcoin/crypto & decentralizing money/power (50:28–52:06) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Joe Moore at psychedelicstoday.com and on Instagram: @jomo137.

Love as medicine, mysticism, sufism and psychedelics with Danielle Herrera

2025-10-2501:00:36

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Danielle Herrera, a California-based licensed psychotherapist and psychedelic-assisted therapy specialist. Danielle blends somatic and Jungian work with harm reduction, draws on Indigenous lineage and Sufi mysticism, and trains new facilitators with Beckley Academy. We explore how love, right-relationship, and spiritual technologies help people heal trauma and integrate psychedelic experiences into daily life. 00:01–01:22 — Intro and Danielle’s background 01:22–08:14 — Origin story: chaotic childhood, harm reduction path, ketamine/MDMA training, founding Tender Heart Healing Arts 08:41–12:48 — “Loving people for a living”: centering love in psychotherapy; Indigenous and Sufi lineages 13:14–17:11 — Trauma as absence of holding; parenting parallels; harm-reduction lens 17:12–22:03 — Why some grow from pain: “jet fuel,” ayahuasca discomfort, meaning-making 22:32–25:10 — Transmutation of pain; rites of passage and village containers 26:01–29:46 — Shamanism vs “psychosis”: the role of container (Crazywise reference) 29:46–36:30 — Sufism 101: Rumi, polishing the heart, spiritual technologies; resonance with ayahuasca/Icaros 37:32–42:43 — Mystical experiences in therapy; clinician competence and frameworks 42:43–47:02 — Spiritual emergence: signs, tenderness, intuition, “magic is real” 47:02–51:40 — Addiction: “don’t ask why the addiction—ask why the pain”; right-relationship with medicines 51:40–54:19 — Real integration: becoming better to those you’re responsible to love If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Danielle Herrera at tenderheart.us (yourtherapistlovesyou.com) and Instagram: @yourtherapistlovesyou

Holding the mystery. Somatics, TRE and integration with Simon Tennant

2025-10-1652:16

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Simon Tennant—a New Zealand psychotherapist, integration coach, and longtime friend of LaWayra. Simon supports guests through complex processes (including repressed trauma), drawing on meditation, IFS lenses, somatic work, and a growing interest in philosophy and Christian mysticism alongside Buddhism. He’s served on LaWayra’s facilitation team and consults post-retreat, emphasizing patience, embodiment, and community as pillars of lasting change. • 00:00–00:03 — Reunion, Simon’s role with LaWayra and integration work • 00:03–00:06 — Recent ceremonies: body-based learning, “great mystery,” non-ordinary states • 00:06–00:09 — How ayahuasca deepened meditation; greater capacity with difficult client work • 00:09–00:12 — Shamanic flavor across traditions; curiosity over fixed identities • 00:12–00:17 — From Buddhist lens to Christian mysticism; using “God” without recoil • 00:17–00:20 — Multiple lenses metaphor; flexibility vs. rigidity in belief systems • 00:20–00:23 — Losing self/other to return more whole; holding paradox and conflict • 00:22–00:24 — Containers, boundaries, and why safe ceremony space matters • 00:24–00:29 — What volunteering at LaWayra teaches therapists vs. online courses • 00:29–00:32 — Building a practical facilitator training: “cookbook” + kitchen analogy • 00:32–00:35 — Post-retreat integration: practices, community, and resisting distractions • 00:36–00:39 — Working with childhood/sexual-abuse material: patience and not-knowing • 00:39–00:43 — Somatic integration: TRE, SE, body as a safe place • 00:40–00:41 — Ayahuasca as a shadow medicine; opening and purgation • 00:44–00:48 — Shadow, DMN, neuroplasticity, and the ego/DMN connection • 00:48–00:50 — Three-hour maloca meditation: embodied attention and capacity If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Simon Tennant at csimon.nz (C-Simon, spelled c-s-i-m-o-n.nz).

Bridging western science with indigenous knowledge with Dr. Simon Ruffel

2025-10-0801:12:18

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Simon Ruffell — psychiatrist, researcher, and co-founder of Onaya Sciences. Simon is known for bridging Western psychiatry and traditional Amazonian plant medicine, completing a PhD on the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca and training in Shipibo curanderismo in Peru. We touch upon topics of: (00:47) Simon’s journey from psychiatry to the Amazon (08:33) How ayahuasca heals: neuroplasticity, epigenetics & spirit work (13:18) Indigenous perspectives on balance and illness (16:11) Designing research with shamans & translating indigenous knowledge (22:11) Safety concerns in Western psychedelic use without shamans (31:05) 80% PTSD remission and other research findings (35:23) Synchronicities and destiny on the healing path (44:18) Ego traps: rushing to become a shaman (50:36) Rethinking psychedelic education and training models (58:52) The story and spirit of Agua Florida & evolving traditions If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com. Find more about Dr. Simon Ruffell and Onaya Sciences at www.onaya.science and on Instagram @drsimonruffell.

Nazis on Drugs, CIA LSD & The Psychedelic Liberation — with Norman Ohler

2025-09-2501:00:00

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Norman Ohler, investigative author and storyteller known for his bestselling books Blitzed and Tripped. Norman’s work explores the hidden influence of drugs in history — from methamphetamine use in Nazi Germany to the political suppression of psychedelics — and challenges how we think about drugs and society. We touch upon topics of: 00:36 – Norman’s personal journey into investigating drugs and hidden histories 01:28 – Nazi Germany’s use of methamphetamine and Hitler’s daily drug injections 07:30 – Could Hitler on ayahuasca have changed history? 09:36 – The untold origins of LSD and Nazi/CIA “truth drug” experiments 18:17 – Norman’s book Tripped, dementia research, and microdosing LSD with his parents 22:01 – Brain mapping studies with ayahuasca and early results from Sam’s retreat 25:08 – Capitalism, government control, and why psychedelics remain illegal 29:01 – Vision for an egalitarian, borderless, AI-supported global society 36:21 – Capitalism vs. spirituality and building new economic models with blockchain/AI 42:01 – How psychedelics foster empathy, healing, and potential planetary change 49:18 – Norman’s political vision and plan to run for German Chancellor 53:39 – Ancient ritual use of psychoactive plants and why prohibition is anti-human If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com. Find more about Norman Ohler at substack https://stonedsapiens.substack.com/ And check out his books Blitzed and Tripped.

Bridging east and Amazon. Poetry, acupuncture and shamanism with Richard Grossman.

2025-09-1801:09:14

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Richard Grossman, PhD. Richard is a healer, author, and visionary blending Eastern medicine, Amazonian shamanism, and sound healing. With over 30 years of experience, he has guided thousands through transformational plant medicine journeys, focusing on forgiveness, integration, and heart-centered living. He is the author of Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life and founder of Heart Feather, a space for healing and awakening. We touch upon topics of: Richard’s first connection to plants and childhood calling (01:08) Early experiences with Ayahuasca and trauma healing (02:59) Healing as miracle and mystery (06:28) Visions, trust, and forgiveness in ceremony (09:00) Ayahuasca “claiming” him in the jungle (12:19) Importance (and limits) of visions in Ayahuasca (19:40) Poetry in ceremonies and its healing role (26:16) The lifelong process of healing and “how good can it get?” (33:53) Responsible path to serving medicine and training protocols (43:44) Minimum number of ceremonies before serving (51:24) Acupuncture in ceremony and bridging healing traditions (54:16) Five elements in Chinese medicine and plant medicine synergy (58:22) Richard’s book Trust and Forgive and upcoming novel (65:03) If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com Find more about Dr. Richard Grossman at heartfeather.com or his book Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life available on Amazon.

#box-pro-ellipsis-177168187892598{-webkit-line-clamp:2;}Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ