The Psychedelic Scene Podcast

In this episode of the Psychedelic Scene Podcast, host Jill Sitnick speaks with Alex Detmering, founder of the Parable Foundation, about the parts of psychedelic therapy that rarely get talked about.Rather than focusing on peak moments or simplified success stories, this conversation explores what happens in the middle: confusion, fear, identity disruption, and the long process of integration that follows insight.Alex shares how his own therapeutic experiences led him to create an anonymous storytelling project focused on honesty, nuance, and lived experience. Together, Jill and Alex discuss why ambiguity is not a failure, why integration often takes years, and why hearing real stories can help people feel less alone in their own process.This episode is educational in nature and intended to support thoughtful understanding of therapeutic experiences, not to promote or prescribe any treatment.Topics covered include:Why psychedelic therapy is rarely a one-time eventThe emotional and psychological “messy middle”What people misunderstand about integrationThe role of fear, uncertainty, and openness in changeWhy honest storytelling matters in mental health conversations🎧 This conversation discusses challenging emotional experiences in a reflective, non-graphic way. Alex Detmering is the founder of the Parable Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to sharing honest, long-form accounts of therapeutic experiences. Find Alex at: https://parablefoundation.substack.com/More content at psychedelicscene.com!

In this episode of the Psychedelic Scene Podcast, host Jill Sitnick speaks with Carlos Tanner, Director of the Ayahuasca Foundation, about how PTSD outcomes are often misunderstood, especially when statistics are shared without context.Carlos discusses follow-up data from a retreat program for veterans and explains what it actually means when someone no longer meets the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Rather than framing this as a cure or transformation, the conversation focuses on severity, functional impact, and why diagnosis is about thresholds, not the absence of struggle.Jill adds personal perspective, describing how her own PTSD diagnosis was tied to suicidality, and why reducing symptoms to a non-debilitating level can still represent meaningful change.This episode emphasizes clarity over hype and explores the importance of careful language when discussing mental health outcomes.Disclaimer: This conversation is shared for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice.

In this episode, host Jill Sitnick speaks with New Mexico firefighter and advocate Paul Walton, executive director of Firefighters for Plant Medicine. Paul has spent more than seventeen years on the front lines. Like many first responders, he carried a heavy mix of trauma, insomnia, and chronic pain. After an injury and surgery, he turned to medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids and found that it helped not only his body but his mind and relationships. From there, he worked through his union and county government to change policy so firefighters could legally and safely use medical cannabis off duty. Now, as New Mexico develops regulations for psilocybin therapy, Paul is focused on ensuring first responders are included in a careful, ethics-informed way.Key TopicsLife as a career firefighter and the cumulative impact of traumaHow medical cannabis supported pain relief, sleep, and therapyThe long process of changing county policy and drug testing rulesMisunderstandings about “drug-free workplace” policies and federal lawEarly outcomes for firefighters using medical cannabis under the new rulesUpcoming psilocybin studies in New Mexico and why first responders need a seat at the tableThe importance of peer support and culture-informed facilitationPractical advice for unions and departments that want to explore similar changesNotesThis conversation is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.Any use of cannabis or psilocybin should follow local laws and be discussed with qualified professionals.Find Paul at www.firefightersforplantmedicine.org

In this episode, we speak with David Esselman from the Fireside Project (firesideproject.org) about an AI training companion for facilitators, called Lucy. We explore how this tool supports trauma-informed listening practices for facilitators, not by offering advice, but by providing a safe simulation space to rehearse empathy, presence, and ethical decision-making.📌 Guest: David Esselman, Senior Advisor, AI Initiatives: david@firesideproject.org

In this episode, Jill Sitnick speaks with Stephan Kerby (aka “Kerby”), founder of the Mindscape Institute and developer of the first structured low-dose integration protocol for working with 5 (5-MeO). Together, they explore how trauma-informed facilitation, nervous system regulation, and a 6-month embodiment model are helping reshape the future of psychedelic healing.We discuss:Why full-release doses aren’t always the safest pathHow Kirby's stepwise, low-dose approach supports long-term healingThe difference between mystical moments and lasting integrationWhy some people become destabilized after large experiences — and how to avoid itHow facilitators can be more ethical, informed, and effective“Transformation doesn’t happen on the mat. It happens Tuesday morning in traffic.”Whether you’re a seeker, practitioner, or clinician, this conversation offers grounded, real-world wisdom on how to support personal evolution through mindful exploration and conscious integration.📘 Learn more about Kerby’s embodiment protocol and facilitator training: MindscapeInstitute.org

In this insightful episode of The Psychedelic Scene Podcast, host Jill Sitnick dives deep into the nuanced world of microdosing and ADHD with Wendy Perkins Schoeff, a trauma-informed coach and researcher. Wendy introduces her Metabolic Ecology Framework, which reframes ADHD not as a disorder, but as a symptom of systemic dysregulation.🔍 What you'll learn in this episode:What ADHD really is beyond the common stereotypesWhy microdosing is not a one-size-fits-all solutionThe importance of goal setting, intention, and environment before choosing a microdose protocolHow psychedelics interact with a dysregulated nervous systemThe five-step holistic microdosing protocol tailored for ADHDWhy sleep is the foundational piece in any healing journey🧠 Wendy breaks down scientific principles into relatable metaphors (like airplane takeoffs and productive procrastination), helping us understand how intention drives outcome in the microdosing process.📎 Resources Mentioned:https://thesuccessdoula.comhttps://wendygoesdeep.substack.comhttps://www.instagram.com/thesuccessdoula💡 Whether you're new to microdosing, curious about ADHD, or seeking a more intentional psychedelic practice, this episode is a must-listen.Be sure to check out Psychedelic Scene Magazine for all things Psychedelic Culture!

What happens after the psychedelic experience?In this soul-level conversation, Jill Sitnik speaks with writer and Substack creator Andrew Weisse about a powerful but often overlooked part of psychedelic work: how we integrate and live with what we learn.Andrew opens up about his journey from Wall Street to healing grief through psychedelics after personal loss and how that path led him to create a deeply reflective newsletter exploring grief, relationships, consciousness, and what it means to live well after the medicine. Together, they explore:Grief, mortality, and meaning in the integration processThe danger of getting stuck in “endless healing”Recognizing spiritual narcissism and red flags in the spaceChoosing the right medicine (and why it matters)How psychedelics shifted their views on purpose, service, and showing up in the worldIf you're exploring healing or asking “what now?” after your own experiences, this conversation is a must-listen.🔗 Learn more about Andrew’s work at: https://substack.com/@thepsychedelicblog 🌐 Dive deeper into psychedelic culture at: https://psychedelicscene.com🎙️ This podcast is for educational purposes only and reflects personal experiences. It does not constitute medical advice or promote illegal activity.

In this episode, attorney Victoria Cvitanovic breaks down the fast-emerging intersection of psychedelics, AI, and data privacy. We talk about the risks of using AI during psychedelic journeys, why privacy needs to be a core community value, how legislators are already falling behind, and how AI could revolutionize psychedelic research.We cover: • Why AI “feels” like a guide but can’t act like one • How psychedelic policy needs to evolve • Privacy, cybersecurity, and protecting your data • The future: safer protocols, new compounds, and ethical techGuest: Victoria Cvitanovic, Rudick Law Group Disclaimer: Educational only — not legal or medical advice.