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MAX Afterburner
MAX Afterburner
Author: Matthew 'Whiz" Buckley
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The MAX Afterburner Podcast with Whiz is a long-form conversation hosted by Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, featuring candid discussions with family, friends, leaders, and truth-tellers across veterans’ issues, markets, culture, and politics - always grounded in care for mind, body, and soul.The podcast also serves as a platform for the missions of the No Fallen Heroes Foundation and Sacred Warrior Fellowship, amplifying conversations around healing, purpose, faith, and helping men and women who have served return home to themselves and to God.
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In this episode, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley shares the origin and meaning of The Sacred Warrior Path - a spiritual journey forged not through wellness culture or self-optimization, but through surrender, responsibility, and a return to God.Speaking from lived experience, Buckley traces his path from a personal breaking point to the disciplines that helped steady him, and ultimately to a profound reconnection with God through sacred sacrament. He challenges common misconceptions about healing, rejecting the idea of gurus, saviors, or “healers,” and instead affirms that healing belongs to God alone.This conversation draws a clear boundary between Sacred Warrior Fellowship and secular psychedelic or wellness spaces. It is not an invitation to chase experiences, but a call to serious spiritual work, discernment, and communion with God. Listeners are reminded that this path is not easy, comfortable, or performative—but for those called to it, it leads toward truth, responsibility, and eternal life.This episode is for those seeking depth over novelty, faith over fantasy, and return over escape.
Join us in this powerful episode of the Max After Burner Podcast, hosted by Theresa Noach, the Ceremony Facilitator for No Fallen Heroes and Sacred Warrior Fellowship. In this inspiring conversation, we welcome Jodi Lemons, the founder of Last Call Ranch and Retreat. After a devastating training injury, Jodi faced the challenging loss of her identity, leading to a long battle with depression and PTSD. With a proud military background, Jodi served in the Air Force and as a first responder before continuing her service in the Army. Following a traumatic incident involving her son, Jodi sought help beyond the traditional VA system. After a decade of being medicated and denied alternative treatments, her journey of healing took a turn when she discovered No Fallen Heroes. Funded to explore ibogaine therapy, Jodi began to reconnect with her faith and rediscover the transformative power of creation through entheogenic sacraments. Tune in to hear Jodi's remarkable story of resilience and the path to reclaiming her life.No Fallen Heroes, Sacred Warrior Fellowship, Jodi Lemons, Last Call Ranch and Retreat, depression, PTSD, military, Air Force, first responder, ibogaine therapy, healing, entheogenic sacraments, faith, resilience. Instagram: @sacredWarrior Fellowship @nofallenheroes @theresaanoach
In this episode of the MAX Afterburner Podcast, host Matthew “Whiz” Buckley sits down with Bridger Lee Jensen, founder of Singularism, a Utah-based entheogenic church currently engaged in a landmark legal battle with the state of Utah.Whiz, who founded Sacred Warrior Fellowship last year, shares how he discovered Singularism and was immediately drawn to their fight to defend religious freedom at its core. Together, Whiz and Bridger take a deep dive into the legal case, the constitutional foundations of religious liberty in America, and why the right to sacramental communion lies at the heart of what this country was built to protect.The conversation explores how entheogenic sacraments like psilocybin are not about recreation or escape, but about healing, transformation, and direct communion with God. Both men share their personal religious backgrounds, the faith traditions they were raised in, and the moments that ultimately led them to step outside institutional frameworks and into their current missions.This episode challenges listeners to reconsider where God is encountered, who gets to decide what counts as legitimate faith, and why so many seekers are finding profound healing and reconnection with the Divine within through sacramental practice.This is a powerful, timely, and deeply human conversation that speaks to veterans, seekers, legal minds, and anyone concerned about the future of religious freedom in America. A must-listen episode.To learn more or support their ongoing legal fight, visit singularism.org.Return Home.
Join host Theresa Noach as she sits down with Mike Smith, the visionary founder and head alchemist of Alchemist Farms. In this heartfelt episode, Mike opens up about his transformative experience during a ceremony led by Theresa through the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. He shares how profoundly impactful that journey was for him.With years of expertise in the realm of medicinal plants, Mike provides valuable insights into the benefits of microdosing psilocybin. Discover how this practice can facilitate a deeper connection with Spirit and promote inner healing. Alongside personal anecdotes, Mike also highlights crucial scientific facts about psilocybin’s effects.Tune in to learn about the fascinating ways psilocybin can foster the creation of new neural pathways in the brain when used thoughtfully. Don't miss this enlightening conversation that blends personal experience with scientific understanding!
Join us in this illuminating episode of the MaxAfterburner Podcast episode 141 as host Theresa Noach interviews Tommi Kirkpatrick, a combat veteran's wife and homeschooling mother of six, who recently embarked on a transformative journey with the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. Following her husband’s own life-changing ceremony, Tommi bravely confronts the dark secrets of her childhood navigating the complexities of motherhood, faith, and personal healing.In this heartfelt conversation, Tommi opens up about her struggles with identity, often hidden behind beautiful dresses and smiles and helping others, and the pain of feeling lost in the world. A dedicated mentor to women in her community, Tommi reflects on her journey of self-discovery that led her to explore her healing needs through a psilocybin ceremony—a choice initially seen as taboo within her cultural and faith background.Listen as Tommi and Theresa share relatable experiences about the challenges many women face when prioritizing the needs of others while neglecting their own healing journeys. Discover how Tommi's courageous decision has not only changed her personal narrative but also the trajectory of her family's legacy.Tune in for an inspiring discussion that encourages reflection, growth, and the importance of embracing one’s true self.Keywords: Tommi Kirkpatrick, Combat Veteran Wife, Homeschooling Mother, Personal Healing, Psilocybin Ceremony, Sacred Warrior Fellowship, Women’s Mentorship, Faith Community, Overcoming Dark Secrets, Personal Growth, Family Legacy, Mental Health, Transformative Journey, Podcast Interview.
In this episode, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley delivers one of his most unfiltered and important debriefs to date.He opens by addressing the Somalian fraud uncovered in Minnesota, and the deep outrage it ignites in him as a combat veteran. While millions are exploited through systemic fraud, countless veterans continue to fight exhausting, dehumanizing battles to access the benefits they were promised for their service. Buckley makes one thing clear: these benefits are not handouts. They are obligations. Earned. Owed.The conversation then shifts to a year-end debrief of No Fallen Heroes Foundation and what 2025 represented. Buckley reflects on the lives impacted, the healing witnessed, and the responsibility that comes with holding space for those carrying war, trauma, addiction, and loss. He also previews what lies ahead in 2026, outlining the next phase of growth, reach, and mission expansion as the foundation continues its work to bring real healing home to veterans and their families.The second half of the episode turns deeply personal and profoundly human.Buckley shares a raw debrief of his own spiritual awakening and why it became an inseparable part of his healing journey. He speaks to the spiritual injuries that so often go unnamed, especially among veterans, and challenges the idea that healing can be complete without addressing the deeper questions of identity, meaning, and connection. Awakening, he explains, is not a sign of being broken, but a process of remembering what was always there beneath the trauma.This episode stands at the intersection of accountability, service, and transformation. It is a call to honor veterans not just with words, but with action. And it is an invitation for anyone on a healing path to understand that spiritual awakening is not separate from recovery. It is often the doorway through it.This is not a comfortable conversation.It is a necessary one.Return Home.
We are revisiting this powerful episode, in which Whiz sits down with Dr. Deborah Mash, the renowned neuroscientist known as the Queen of Ibogaine. While Whiz and countless others share their personal healing journeys with ibogaine, Dr. Mash brings the hard science. With over 30 years of research, she breaks down how ibogaine and its metabolite, noribogaine, work to heal trauma and addiction at the neurological level—including a scientific analysis of Whiz’s own experience.Dr. Mash tackles the fear and misinformation surrounding this medicine, explaining how the risks can be mitigated—or even eliminated—with proper protocols. She also discusses her groundbreaking work in taking the “psychedelic” out of the psychedelic experience, making ibogaine more accessible for those hesitant about the visionary aspects. As she asks, “Do you need the trip to get to the destination?”Dr. Mash also shares an exciting update on her company, DemeRx, and its mission to revolutionize treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).If you’re curious about ibogaine, considering sitting with this medicine, or know someone who could benefit, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Mash is the leading authority on the subject—and now, the newest member of the No Fallen Heroes advisory board.
In this episode, we sit down with Theresa Noach, a dedicated Ceremony facilitator for the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. Join us as she dives deep into the transformative significance of setting intentions for both life and Entheogenic ceremonies. Theresa shares her personal journey, revealing how the trauma that once defined her has been reshaped into a source of empowerment and purpose. With a focus on divine alignment, she openly discusses her triumphant path through domestic violence, illustrating that anyone can find meaning in their struggles. Tune in to this heartfelt conversation that inspires resilience and the pursuit of a purposeful life. Ready to deepen your journey towards empowerment and purpose? Visit us at nofallenheroes.com ↗ (https://nofallenheroes.com) to learn more about our mission and resources. Don’t forget to check out the Sacred Warrior Fellowship at sacredwarriorfellowship.org ↗ (https://sacredwarriorfellowship.org) for transformative experiences. And for some inspiring merch, head over to getmaverickmind.com ↗ (https://getmaverickmind.com). Join us in embracing resilience and creating a meaningful life! Intentions Entheogenic ceremonies Trauma transformation Empowerment Divine alignment Domestic violence Resilience Purposeful living Sacred Warrior Fellowship Personal journey Healing Spiritual growth Sacred ceremonies
In this enlightening episode of Max Afterburner, host Theresa Noach welcomes Zoya, a dedicated steward of the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. Together, they delve into Zoya’s transformative experience with the Entheogenic church, highlighting her courageous decision to participate in hallucinogenic ceremonies. The conversation explores Zoya's personal struggles with her early religious programming and how these experiences have profoundly reshaped her spiritual journey, fostering a deeper understanding of herself and her place within the community.Throughout the episode, Theresa and Zoya share emotional stories and profound insights, aiming to inspire listeners to consider the potential of participating in Sacred Warrior Fellowship's ceremonies. They discuss the importance of spiritual unity amidst diversity and the transformative power of community practices. This dialogue not only sheds light on the benefits of these sacred experiences but also addresses common barriers that individuals may face in pursuing their spiritual paths, such as feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt.As advocates for openness in spirituality and healing, both hosts encourage listeners to embrace their journeys and challenge societal taboos surrounding entheogenic practices. Through relatable anecdotes and discussions, this podcast episode serves as a compelling invitation to explore new dimensions of spiritual growth and community connection, paving the way for personal and collective healing within the Sacred Warrior Fellowship. "This is the way"!
In this profoundly moving episode of MAX Afterburner, Whiz sits down with Dario Marchena, an Afghanistan combat veteran and law enforcement officer whose post-military life was defined - and nearly destroyed -by a single radio call.During an ambush, Dario ordered a helicopter to engage two vehicles fleeing the scene. One held enemy fighters. The other carried a mother, father, and their two young children. The pilot’s voice came over the radio:“Are you sure you want me to engage?”A question that would echo in Dario’s soul for decades.After the incident, Dario fell into a 19-year coma of the spirit - alive, but unable to feel alive. The silence swallowed him. The guilt estranged him from his own children. He served as a law enforcement officer but carried a wound that no uniform or training could protect him from.Then he saw Whiz on TV.He discovered the No Fallen Heroes Foundation.And he took a courageous step into a Sacred Warrior Fellowship entheogenic retreat, receiving the Sacrament of Psilocybin.What happened next is nothing short of miraculous.Dario not only experienced deep, divine healing - he reunited with the very family harmed that day. They forgave him. They told him they were at peace. In that moment, decades of shame, guilt, and agony lifted. He was healed in a way he never believed possible.Today, Dario has gone from hardened skeptic to apostle for healing, urging veterans, first responders, and anyone suffering trauma to reclaim their lives through safe, guided, spiritual communion.This episode will shake you, break you, and help put you back together. It is proof that healing is real - and that it is never too late.Share this with someone who needs hope.Healing is possible.Return Home.
In this powerful episode of The MAX Afterburner Podcast, Whiz sits down with world-renowned physician and trauma pioneer Dr. Eugene Lipov- the man behind what many now call “The God Shot.”Dr. Lipov, Chief Medical Officer at Stella Center and founder of Erase PTSD Now, is one of the foremost experts on the physical consequences of trauma. His groundbreaking work with the Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB) and its evolved form, the Dual Sympathetic Reset (DSR), has delivered life-changing relief to thousands of veterans, first responders, and civilians suffering from post-traumatic stress.Often referred to as The God Shot, this treatment has shown 85% success in calming the fight-or-flight response, “rebooting” the sympathetic nervous system, and giving patients what feels like a divine reset - peace, clarity, and relief many haven’t felt in decades.Whiz and Dr. Lipov discuss:What The God Shot actually is and why so many describe the experience as life-changingHow SGB/DSR works scientifically to reset the nervous systemWhy we must stop calling it PTSD - and why Dr. Lipov and the trauma community are demanding the shift to PTSI (Post-Traumatic Stress Injury)The slow movement of the VA and insurance despite overwhelming evidenceThe 10–15 years of relief many patients experienceHow this treatment is already being used by Special Forces and elite military unitsDr. Lipov’s personal story of growing up with trauma in his own home - and why this mission is sacred to himWhy this therapy may be on of the most important trauma innovations of the 21st centuryThis episode is a must-listen for anyone carrying invisible wounds - or anyone who loves someone who is.What Dr. Lipov has created is nothing short of revolutionary. Many call it The God Shot because of one reason:It gives people their life back.Fight’s On.
In this powerful episode of the MAX Afterburner Podcast, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley debriefs his unprecedented visit to Harvard Law School, where he joined religious leaders, legal scholars, legislators, and government officials to discuss the future of psychedelics and the evolving landscape of entheogenic freedom.Whiz shares insights from his presentation on the mission of the No Fallen Heroes Foundation and Sacred Warrior Fellowship - his entheogenic church devoted to healing and reconnection with the Divine and how the message deeply resonated with attendees. He also briefs listeners on upcoming Sacred Warrior Fellowship retreats, including the December gathering, and offers hard-won lessons from his own healing journey.With honesty and heart, Whiz reflects on how to prepare if the sacraments call to you - and what it means to return home to your true self. This is the way.
In this powerful episode, Whiz brings listeners up to speed on groundbreaking progress within both the No Fallen Heroes Foundation and Sacred Warrior Fellowship. He shares details about an upcoming sacred ceremony where six veterans will sit with the sacrament to begin or deepen their healing journey.Whiz also previews a potential transformational healing opportunity for the survivors of the Camp Mystic tragedy in Texas, revealing how supporters can help fund their healing - and, in turn, experience healing themselves through service and connection.Drawing from five years of deep personal and collective lessons, Whiz offers insight into what this sacred work truly entails - its challenges, its beauty, and its divine purpose.This is more than an update - it’s a call to action and awakening.A must-listen for anyone called to heal, serve, or understand the deeper mission behind No Fallen Heroes and Sacred Warrior Fellowship.
Whiz has a VERY special guest on this podcast (his beautiful bride Suzi) who debriefs her journey with the medicine. She briefs the factors (mainly Whiz) that led to the medicine calling her, the preparation phase, the journey, and her integration. Suzi talks about navigating her journey and how any darkness wasn't really darkness once she let go, "everything is fine, it's always fine." Once again we learn that the power of healing is available to everyone, at any time, and that true love is eternal.
Fresh off a powerful healing retreat with veterans at Sacred Warrior Fellowship, Whiz returns to a world rocked by darkness - the brutal murder of Iryna Zarutska and the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk. In this hard-hitting episode, he digs deep into both of these horrific tragedies, calling out for truth - because only the truth will set us free.This one is not for the faint of heart. Whiz confronts the chaos and pain head-on, but he doesn’t leave us there. He reminds us that no matter what is happening in the world, each of us is responsible for our healing. No one else can do it for us.We are the pilot-in-command of our own aircraft. We are called to return home to the divine within.If more of us embraced that truth, the world - and our country—would be a far better place.
In this amped up episode, Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, a U.S. Navy TOPGUN fighter pilot turned founder of the Sacred Warrior Fellowship, reacts to a landmark legal victory for religious liberty and why it’s reason for both celebration and vigilance. A federal judge ruled that Singularism, a small entheogen-based faith community in Utah, has its sacramental use of psilocybin protected under Utah’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The court blasted the state’s actions as “offensively broad,” “ironic,” and tantamount to harassment, ordering the return of sacramental psilocybin seized in a controversial raid.For Whiz, who served 15 years defending the Constitution, this is more than a legal win, it’s a frontline moment in the battle to protect the First Amendment. As the judge noted, true religious freedom must protect unfamiliar faiths as fiercely as familiar ones, and sincerity of belief - not tradition - is the key criterion.Through the lens of Sacred Warrior Fellowship, Whiz explains how this precedent strengthens protections for entheogenic churches across the nation. The message is clear: stand down for now, but keep your powder dry. Government overreach can appear without warning, and when it does, he’ll be ready to fight again.
In this powerful episode of MAX Afterburner, Kentucky native and retired U.S. Army veteran Derek R. Poor shares his deeply personal journey from the high-stakes world of Special Operations to profound healing and transformation. Derek served over two decades in uniform, beginning as an Aircraft Armament Repairman and Missile Systems Maintainer for the OH-58D Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter before being selected for the elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), the legendary “Night Stalkers.” Providing critical ground support for America’s most sensitive missions, Derek carried the weight of years of service, leadership, and sacrifice, along with the invisible wounds of a traumatic brain injury sustained in the line of duty.Like too many of his brothers-in-arms, Derek faced the crushing reality of TBI symptoms, PTSD, and the devastating loss of friends to suicide, including one the day after he returned from his first ibogaine journey. Determined to find a path forward, Derek turned to powerful entheogenic sacraments: ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT. These sacred medicines not only brought him profound personal healing, but also transformed the life of his wife, Jennifer, who had battled debilitating autoimmune conditions for years.In this conversation, Derek opens up about his service with the Night Stalkers, the toll of TBI, and the healing potential of sacred plant medicines. He shares lessons learned from both the battlefield and his journey home, along with his mission to help other veterans struggling in silence. Derek’s story is one of courage, resilience, and hope - proof that there is a way through the darkness, and that no warrior has to walk that path alone.
Suzi and Teresa sit down for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about the rising call toward plant medicine and why so many are feeling drawn to these sacred healing modalities right now. Together, they explore the deeper reasons people are seeking out ceremonies and sacraments, like those held within the Sacred Warrior Fellowship, from emotional healing and spiritual connection to relief from trauma, depression, and anxiety.They also address the questions and fears many people have. Their compassionate, grounded dialogue offers clarity for those who are curious but cautious.Importantly, Suzi and Teresa unpack the cultural stigma that has surrounded plant medicine for decades and how misunderstanding, fear, and even political agendas contributed to its demonization. They offer context around its sacred indigenous roots and how science is finally catching up to what many cultures have known for centuries: these plants are powerful tools for healing when used with intention, integrity, and reverence.Whether you’re just beginning to explore or have been called to this path for a while, this conversation invites you to listen with an open heart and discover what it means to heal in sacred communion with nature’s medicine.
This powerful episode is the unveiling of something holy, years in the making, born of pain, held in grace, and reborn through healing into sacred service. Whiz unveils the foundation of Sacred Warrior Fellowship, a Florida based 508(c)(1)(A) organization. He briefs its Statement of Faith, Constitution, and Beliefs, and why this church isn’t about dogma, but direct communion. From divine freedom to the healing power of entheogenic sacraments, this conversation opens the door to a new spiritual path rooted in truth, remembrance, and radical liberation. If you’ve ever questioned the old systems or longed for something deeper, this is your invitation. Welcome to the Sacred Warrior Fellowship.
In this Rerun of episode 7 of the MAX Afterburner Podcast Whiz details both his ibogaine and 5 MEO DMT experiences and how they changed his life. Whiz attempts to put words to the indescribable and how for the first time in decades he healed from pain and trauma in his life. Now Whiz serves as a self-proclaimed 'disciple', putting the ladder down to help other fighter pilot veterans potentially heal with psychedelic-assisted therapy.






Such a riveting tale about 9/11. Thank you for your service.