Mind Body Health & Politics

The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick HansonPsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes to heal both personally and collectively in a divided world.Guest: Dr. Rick Hanson – Psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, and Buddha’s BrainKey Topics:The duality of human nature: love vs. hateHow to “feed the wolf of love” through daily practicePositive neuroplasticity and the science of emotional rewiringBuilding compassion in polarized timesWhy community is essential to mental healthHow wealth inequality and power distort human connectionThe link between poverty and psychological sufferingSimple daily tools for calm, resilience, and empathyThe surprising role of playfulness in healingTimestamps:00:00 — Introduction: Humanity’s tribal nature and the need for connection02:15 — Meet Dr. Rick Hanson03:44 — The parable of the two wolves06:42 — Feeding the wolf of love vs. the wolf of hate08:07 — The power of brain science and compassion10:03 — Physical health as the foundation for mental well-being13:18 — The father-son dynamic and emotional intelligence17:04 — Keeping your “dad hat” on in relationships20:33 — How to stay in touch with the wolf of love under pressure21:33 — The longing for a better world22:05 — Rick’s top psychological tools for well-being24:38 — Getting on your own side25:38 — Taking in the good and letting it land29:18 — Linking positive experiences to old wounds34:35 — Why painful memories persist36:12 — How the media exploits our negativity bias38:33 — Vulnerability to manipulation and fear42:33 — Wealth concentration and its social consequences46:10 — From individual healing to collective action47:58 — Poverty as the biggest factor in mental health50:04 — Lessons from other nations’ social models53:14 — Why one in three adults in America isn’t registered to vote55:08 — The limits of traditional psychotherapy59:36 — What separates high responders from low responders01:02:21 — Repetition, practice, and rewiring behavior01:05:21 — Breathing as the foundation of change01:10:22 — Stop whining, start climbing: love as actionLinks & Resources:🌐 Website — rickhanson.net📘 Books — Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, Buddha’s Brain🎧 Podcast — Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

The Psychology of Love and Connection with Dr. Rick HansonPsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson joins Dr. Richard Louis Miller to explore how compassion, community, and love can rewire the human brain — and why our survival as a species may depend on it. Together, they discuss the “two wolves within us,” how positive neuroplasticity turns fleeting moments of kindness into lasting change, and what it takes to heal both personally and collectively in a divided world.Guest: Dr. Rick Hanson – Psychologist, Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, and author of Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, and Buddha’s BrainKey Topics:The duality of human nature: love vs. hateHow to “feed the wolf of love” through daily practicePositive neuroplasticity and the science of emotional rewiringBuilding compassion in polarized timesWhy community is essential to mental healthHow wealth inequality and power distort human connectionThe link between poverty and psychological sufferingSimple daily tools for calm, resilience, and empathyThe surprising role of playfulness in healingTimestamps:00:00 — Introduction: Humanity’s tribal nature and the need for connection02:15 — Meet Dr. Rick Hanson03:44 — The parable of the two wolves06:42 — Feeding the wolf of love vs. the wolf of hate08:07 — The power of brain science and compassion10:03 — Physical health as the foundation for mental well-being13:18 — The father-son dynamic and emotional intelligence17:04 — Keeping your “dad hat” on in relationships20:33 — How to stay in touch with the wolf of love under pressure21:33 — The longing for a better world22:05 — Rick’s top psychological tools for well-being24:38 — Getting on your own side25:38 — Taking in the good and letting it land29:18 — Linking positive experiences to old wounds34:35 — Why painful memories persist36:12 — How the media exploits our negativity bias38:33 — Vulnerability to manipulation and fear42:33 — Wealth concentration and its social consequences46:10 — From individual healing to collective action47:58 — Poverty as the biggest factor in mental health50:04 — Lessons from other nations’ social models53:14 — Why one in three adults in America isn’t registered to vote55:08 — The limits of traditional psychotherapy59:36 — What separates high responders from low responders01:02:21 — Repetition, practice, and rewiring behavior01:05:21 — Breathing as the foundation of change01:10:22 — Stop whining, start climbing: love as actionLinks & Resources:🌐 Website — rickhanson.net📘 Books — Hardwiring Happiness, Resilient, Buddha’s Brain🎧 Podcast — Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson and Forrest Hanson This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Building Community with MDMA: Charles Wininger's 20-Year ExperimentPsychotherapist Charles Wininger shares 20 years of experience leading group MDMA sessions in New York, detailed protocols for creating safe communal experiences, and his vision for a nationwide simultaneous experience to rebuild community connections.Guest: Charles Wininger - Psychotherapist for 35 years, psychonaut for 50 years, author of "Listening to Ecstasy: The Transformative Power of MDMA"Key Topics:Why community is literally life or deathComplete protocols for group MDMA experiencesThe "serious fun" middle way between therapy and ravesGround rules: consent, boundaries, and safetyWhy mixing substances changes everythingCouples using MDMA 2-3x weekly at micro-dosesPlanning a nationwide simultaneous experienceThe Fireside Project's 24/7 psychedelic supportTimestamps:00:00 Introduction - Tribal animals need community01:01 Meet Charles Wininger01:59 "Community is the medicine"03:55 MDMA as the "chemical of connection"06:22 Healing a 7-year rift between friends10:12 Structuring safe group experiences12:14 "Serious fun" - the middle way13:55 Selecting participants carefully15:02 Ground rules and safety protocols18:45 Respecting boundaries and consent20:50 What people fear most: safety24:04 Creating "chill space" for solitude25:10 No mixing substances policy27:16 Saturday sessions with Sunday integration29:04 Managing the "Tuesday blues"31:33 Lowering doses with age33:31 Coming out of the "chemical closet"38:17 Why not mix ketamine or cannabis40:29 Psilocybin combinations in therapy43:03 Community ripple effects48:09 Couples using MDMA 2-3x weekly52:21 One day weekly for relationship57:52 Fireside Project's free support line01:00:40 Helicopter rides during earthquakes01:03:38 Connect with CharlesLinks:Website: higherpurpose.communityBook: listeningtoecstasy.comContact: charles@higherpurpose.community This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

The Poem That Made a Room Full of Men CryDr. Jed Diamond joins Dr. Miller for a conversation about isolation, authoritarianism, and why building community may be our only defense against tyranny. Includes the Father Earth poem by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.Guest: Dr. Jed Diamond - Author of 17 books, men's health advocate, in the same men's group for 46 yearsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction - Tribal living and community01:33 Meet Dr. Jed Diamond04:10 Same-sex groups and intergenerational wisdom08:06 Isolation and loneliness since COVID12:12 Why Jed predicted Trump's presidency in May 201617:21 Military on American streets18:02 The scapegoating pattern23:27 Father Earth poem introduction24:22 Father Earth by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (full reading)31:22 Depression epidemic warning36:07 The Zen community response to violence42:06 Jed's daily walking practice for community44:00 The 10,000 step community walks47:39 MenAlive.com and Jed's work This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Why Marriage Is Failing America's Poor (And Making Inequality Worse)Economist Michael Tanner reveals the marriage gap between rich and poor, why rural poverty is worse than urban, and how the collapse of traditional economies is creating a generation of unmarriageable men.Guest: Michael Tanner - Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, author of research on marriage and povertyTopics Discussed:What poverty really means in AmericaWhy Scandinavian equality comes with lower living standardsThe two-class marriage system emerging in AmericaWhy women face a "bigger gamble" in marriage than menRural poverty worse than urban povertyThe Arkansas Walmart layoffs and opioid crisisCriminal justice removing 1.5 million Black men from marriage poolHalf of Fort Bragg, CA on food assistanceTimestamps:00:01 Introduction - 72% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck01:24 What is poverty in America?02:36 Two definitions of poverty - subsistence vs self-sufficiency05:08 Census Bureau's flawed poverty measurements07:12 Real destitution affects 3-4% of population08:18 Teachers living in cars in California11:16 Social Darwinism vs humanistic approaches to poverty14:54 The myth of lazy poor people16:26 Bottom 20% have almost no social mobility18:03 Living in a world of scarcity19:02 Could billionaires' wealth solve poverty?21:43 Marriage and poverty - the white paper23:53 Why marriage helps men more than women27:30 Marriage gap between rich and poor31:01 Rise of single, uneducated men33:38 Political vulnerability of disconnected men33:54 Arkansas: Middle-class homes turned to garbage38:37 Robotics and the future of work43:15 Fort Bragg: 1,200 families at food bank47:23 COVID's lasting damage to small towns50:57 "Poverty is natural - prosperity must be created"Resources:Research: freopp.org/whitepapers/does-marriage-reduce-poverty/Twitter: @TannerOnPolicy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

They Feed 30 People for $90 (How Cohousing Actually Works)Architect Charles Durrett reveals the economics and social dynamics of cohousing communities, plus Iceland's revolutionary approach to neurodiverse living where autism isn't a limitation but simply a different way of being.Guest: Charles Durrett - Principal architect at The Cohousing Company, coined the term "cohousing" in 1985, designed 55+ communities, author of 16 books on community designTopics Discussed:How cohousing communities feed 30 people for $90Why 34 houses share one lawnmower (and it works)The first U.S. cohousing community 35 years laterIceland's Sólheimar: 45 neurodiverse, 45 neurotypical residentsWhy people with autism drown at 166x the normal rate"Smiles per half hour" as a community metricBreaking bread 4-5 times weekly builds communityFrom isolation to internationally selling artistTimestamps:00:00 Introduction - Encouraging community for 20 years00:59 Meet Charles Durrett - Pioneer of cohousing01:40 The first U.S. cohousing community in Davis02:36 What is cohousing? Six defining principles05:00 No hierarchy, all consensus07:28 Book came out 1988, coined "cohousing"08:37 35 years later - how is that first community?10:47 Copenhagen study: Majority of seniors want cohousing13:45 Personal meetings and interpersonal sharing15:28 Common dinners 4-5 times weekly16:26 Cooking rotation - once a month for 20-30 people17:10 How they feed 30 for $9020:12 What is a neuro-inclusive community?23:13 90 people total at Sólheimar24:02 Started in 1930, Chuck wrote the book26:04 "Smiles per half hour" metric29:02 Artists who knew nothing become internationally known32:13 Financial model for neurodiverse communities35:12 Why they bought their own swimming pool38:07 Final thoughts - self-determination is key41:12 Learning to interview people with autismResources:Website: cohousingco.comBook: Neuro-Inclusive Community Design This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

The Psychedelic Renaissance: 6 Leaders on Integration, Ethics & AccessAn unprecedented panel discussion featuring six pioneers of psychedelic medicine, moderated by Dr. Richard L. Miller. From underground roots to FDA trials, from ketamine clinics to ibogaine centers, these leaders reveal the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of psychedelic therapy.Panelists: • Matt Xavier - Author of "The Psychedelic DJ," pioneering music curation in psilocybin therapy • Wendy Tucker - Board Chair, Shulgin Foundation, preserving the lab where 200+ psychedelics were created • Sam Mandel - CEO, Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (35,000+ infusions since 2014) • Tom Feegel - CEO, Beond Ibogaine Center, Cancun (11 MDs on staff) • Dori Lewis - Co-founder, Elemental Psychedelics & Colorado's 2nd legal psilocybin center • Joshua White - Founder, Fireside Project (30,000+ psychedelic support calls)Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction - The tribal nature of healing 02:30 The psychedelic renaissance and 50 years of suppressed science 03:30 Matt Xavier - From DJ to psychedelic therapist 09:59 Wendy Tucker - Preserving the Shulgin legacy 15:05 Sam Mandel - Building ketamine infrastructure 20:29 Tom Feegel - Medical ibogaine treatment 27:24 Dori Lewis - Colorado's legal psilocybin program 31:37 Joshua White - Free psychedelic support for all 40:15 Integration: "Polishing the nuggets" from the journey 42:49 Tom's comprehensive integration approach 47:24 Joshua's personal ibogaine integration story 50:19 Sam on insurance-covered integration 57:49 The ethics crisis in psychedelic therapy 01:00:40 Why facilitators must experience their own medicine 01:06:47 "Good people cause harm" - Dori's crucial insight 01:14:45 Access crisis: How to scale beyond the wealthy 01:19:45 Final thoughts and invitationsKey Takeaways: • Psychedelics are tools, not magic bullets - integration is essential • Well-intentioned practitioners can cause harm without proper training • Touch consent and boundaries must be established before sessions • The field needs peer support models to increase access • Community and accountability prevent isolation and abuseResources:Fireside Project Support Line: firesideproject.orgShulgin Foundation: shulginfoundation.orgKetamine Clinics LA: ketamineclinics.comBeond: beond.usElemental Psychedelics: elementalpsychedelics.comSubscribe to Mind Body Health Politics for weekly conversations challenging conventional wisdom about health, consciousness, and human potential. Visit mindbodyhealthpolitics.org for 20+ years of archived episodes. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

At age 9, Michael Ostrolenk looked at his overweight, chain-smoking psychiatrist and asked his mother: "He can't help himself. How's he gonna help me?" Then he walked out and never looked back.Now 54, Michael completes 50-mile rucks with weighted vests and trains Navy SEALs through SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy. After 43 years in martial arts and decades as a performance coach, he's identified why 72% of Americans are failing at health—and it's not about willpower.In this conversation, Michael reveals:Why willpower is a terrible strategy for changeThe "via negativa" approach that makes failure impossibleHis 4-pillar system (physiological, psychological, social, environmental)Why he gets blood work every 3-6 months (and what markers matter)The pull-up bar trick that transformed his client's military fitness testHow removing M&Ms matters more than resisting themThe connection between circadian biology and mental healthWhy "normalizing pathological behaviors" is destroying our healthPlus: The surprising parting wisdom from someone who trains special operators—and why kindness might be the most powerful intervention of all.Guest Bio: Michael Ostrolenk is a licensed therapist and Master Coach in Resilience, Leadership, and Elite Performance, with over three decades of experience guiding high performers, special operators, and visionary leaders. He specializes in integrating psychological, physiological, and relational frameworks to optimize human potential. Co-creator of elite training programs with SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy, and affiliated with Apeiron Zoh precision medical clinic in Austin, Texas.Connect with Michael: Website: https://www.michaeldostrolenk.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelostrolenkresiliencemastery/ Instagram: @mostrolenk Podcast: Resilience Reimagined on Spotify This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Heather Lee: When Traditional Therapy Fails, Sacred Medicine SucceedsMind Body Health Politics Episode - Dr. Richard Lewis MillerEpisode DescriptionA mother lost her 2-year-old to cancer and spent two years bedbound with grief. Traditional therapy, medication, and family support all failed her. Then she discovered Dr. Heather Lee's psilocybin therapy in Colorado—and everything changed. What happened next will challenge everything you think you know about healing trauma and grief.Dr. Heather Lee is Colorado's 22nd licensed psychedelic facilitator and author of the upcoming book The Psilocybin Sessions: 10 True Tales of Women's Wisdom Awakening. Her legal, clinical work with sacred medicine is producing results that conventional medicine struggles to explain.Timestamped Chapters00:00 - The Epidemic of Isolation and Why We Need Community03:00 - Dr. Heather Lee's Revolutionary Approach to Healing05:00 - The Grieving Mother's Two-Year Journey Through Hell08:00 - When Her Deceased Child Appeared During the Session11:00 - The Goosebumps Moment: When Spirit Confirmed the Healing14:00 - Why People Fly from South Africa for This Treatment17:00 - The Art of Psilocybin Dosing: Why 4 Grams Is the Sweet Spot20:00 - How Colorado Became the Gold Standard for Legal Psychedelics23:00 - The Documentary "Last Journey": Cancer Patients Find Peace28:00 - The Forgiveness That Decades of Therapy Couldn't Unlock32:00 - When Clouds Spelled "FORGIVE" in the Sky35:00 - Building the Conscious Conversation Collective40:00 - Working in Service of the MushroomsKey InsightsTraditional therapy's blind spot: Some wounds require soul healing, not just cognitive processingThe safety profile: Psilocybin is safer than anything in your medicine cabinetColorado's licensing system: Rigorous year-long training with Johns Hopkins and NYU researchersThe demographic shift: Most clients are women 50+ seeking wisdom and healingIntegration is crucial: Follow-up sessions ensure lasting transformation This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to HealDescription: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."Key Topics:Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuseHow shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping itThe difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliationBreaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in familiesInternal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split" personalitiesWhy our approach to pedophiles may be creating more victimsThe hidden prevalence of incest in "normal" familiesHow to heal families and communities without enabling perpetratorsTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Intro: Living in Tribes vs. Isolation [02:00] Polyamory as Community Support System [05:00] The Real Meaning of "Many Loves" [06:00] From Sex Work to Trauma Therapy [08:00] "The Pedophile Who Loved Me" - Why the Title Matters [10:00] The Dangerous Side of Religious Forgiveness [13:00] "Where Does the Misery Stop?" - Generational Trauma [16:00] Walking the Line Between Compassion and Accountability [20:00] How Trauma Creates Split Personalities 25:00] Multiple Personalities vs. Sub-Personalities [31:00] The Soul-Killing Nature of Child Sexual Abuse [37:00] Creating Safety for People to Come Out of Denial [42:00] Why Pedophiles Repeat and What We're Missing [48:00] Education Level and Sexual Abuse Patterns [52:00] Sex Work Safety vs. Other Professions [57:00] Why She Wouldn't Recommend Sex Work Today [1:05:00] Final Message: Healing Requires Treating Perpetrators as People This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk AboutDescription:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.Key Topics:Why pop culture has become our default sex educatorHow algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shameThe myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universalMedia representation of masturbation and female sexuality suppressionPornography consumption patterns revealing hidden curiositiesThe feedback loop between audience clicks and content creationViolence in entertainment vs. the death of musicals and romanceSexual assault statistics and what they reveal about societyCapitalism as the root cause of inequality and social problemsTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Intro: Why We Live in Isolation Instead of Tribes [02:25] Does Media Lead Us or Do We Lead Them? [07:20] The Algorithm Knows What You Click On[11:49] Why Musicals Died and Violence Took Over [15:10] The Problem with Calling Things "Perversion" [22:35] Why We're All Perverted (And That's Normal) [26:21] Masturbation Gets a Bad Rap in Pop Culture [33:57] The Orgasm Gap Mirrors the Economic Gap [37:45] Are 43 Men in California Programming America's Sexual Taste? [44:13] The Novelty Factor in Human Curiosity [46:30] One in Four Women Will Be Raped: What This Says About Us [51:30] Why Capitalism Is the Root of Most Problems [56:52] 20% of Americans Can't Read But They Can Vote [01:02:35] What Lauren Learned Writing "Cheating on the Sisterhood" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to HealDescription: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."Key Topics:Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuseHow shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping itThe difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliationBreaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in familiesInternal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split" personalitiesWhy our approach to pedophiles may be creating more victimsThe hidden prevalence of incest in "normal" familiesHow to heal families and communities without enabling perpetratorsTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Intro: Living in Tribes vs. Isolation [02:00] Polyamory as Community Support System [05:00] The Real Meaning of "Many Loves" [06:00] From Sex Work to Trauma Therapy [08:00] "The Pedophile Who Loved Me" - Why the Title Matters [10:00] The Dangerous Side of Religious Forgiveness [13:00] "Where Does the Misery Stop?" - Generational Trauma [16:00] Walking the Line Between Compassion and Accountability [20:00] How Trauma Creates Split Personalities 25:00] Multiple Personalities vs. Sub-Personalities [31:00] The Soul-Killing Nature of Child Sexual Abuse [37:00] Creating Safety for People to Come Out of Denial [42:00] Why Pedophiles Repeat and What We're Missing [48:00] Education Level and Sexual Abuse Patterns [52:00] Sex Work Safety vs. Other Professions [57:00] Why She Wouldn't Recommend Sex Work Today [1:05:00] Final Message: Healing Requires Treating Perpetrators as People This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healingTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approach to underground therapy [12:51] The economics don't add up - $5,000 minimum per session [15:02] Why FDA requires two therapists in the room [21:43] The hidden history of LGBTQ oppression with psychedelics [22:14] "Tim Leary said LSD is a specific cure for homosexuality" [23:44] Teenage conversion therapy - 800μg doses [25:15] "The transcripts are terrifying" [26:07] Living male-female dyad requirements [27:29] "There's a war on trans folks in the United States" [28:59] All LGBTQ research being shut down [31:54] Intersectional violence in NYC [35:50] The masculinity crisis and violence [37:17] Post-traumatic sexual stress disorder theory [41:41] Embrace Pleasure book - reclaiming psychedelic sexuality [43:29] Unwanted complications vs. adverse effects [45:29] Sexual boundary violations in psychedelic therapy [48:15] Why silence enables abuse [50:15] The small percentage of predators [54:43] Empowerment model for participants [57:44] Mandatory disclosure laws proposal [59:59] Who should avoid psychedelics [01:04:59] Should therapists have psychedelic experience? [01:12:13] Final thoughts: "The future is unwritten" Resources:EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy Queering Psychedelics NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine Dance Safe (harm reduction) The Fireside Project (peer support)Connect with Dr. Belser: Email: alex.belser@gmail.com Subscribe for weekly interviews: mindbodyhealthpolitics.org This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk AboutDescription:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.Key Topics:Why pop culture has become our default sex educatorHow algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shameThe myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universalMedia representation of masturbation and female sexuality suppressionPornography consumption patterns revealing hidden curiositiesThe feedback loop between audience clicks and content creationViolence in entertainment vs. the death of musicals and romanceSexual assault statistics and what they reveal about societyCapitalism as the root cause of inequality and social problemsTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Intro: Why We Live in Isolation Instead of Tribes [02:25] Does Media Lead Us or Do We Lead Them? [07:20] The Algorithm Knows What You Click On[11:49] Why Musicals Died and Violence Took Over [15:10] The Problem with Calling Things "Perversion" [22:35] Why We're All Perverted (And That's Normal) [26:21] Masturbation Gets a Bad Rap in Pop Culture [33:57] The Orgasm Gap Mirrors the Economic Gap [37:45] Are 43 Men in California Programming America's Sexual Taste? [44:13] The Novelty Factor in Human Curiosity [46:30] One in Four Women Will Be Raped: What This Says About Us [51:30] Why Capitalism Is the Root of Most Problems [56:52] 20% of Americans Can't Read But They Can Vote [01:02:35] What Lauren Learned Writing "Cheating on the Sisterhood" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Jarrett Rose reveals groundbreaking research from inside a week-long psychedelic retreat in Jamaica where 11 strangers took escalating doses of psilocybin—and discovered something clinical trials are missing entirely.Guest Bio:Dr. Jarrett Rose is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute studying psychedelic culture and group therapy dynamics. A former high school dropout who was medicated with Ritalin against his will, he earned his PhD from York University in Toronto and now conducts participant-observation research in real-world psychedelic settings. He recently published groundbreaking research on collective effervescence in psychedelic therapy and is collaborating with Dr. Daniel Kruger on psychedelic community studies.Key Topics:- Why 99% of psychedelic therapy happens in groups, not clinical trials- The economics making individual therapy impossible for most people- How "collective effervescence" amplifies healing outcomes beyond individual sessions- Escalating doses: 3-5g, then 5-7g, then 7-10g over one week- Building therapeutic community vs. sterile medical settings- Social integration as crucial missing piece in clinical researchTIMESTAMPS:[02:48] Dr. Rose introduction - from Utica to Toronto[04:00] Personal balance: golf, surfing, and academic life[07:00] "I failed out of high school" - ADHD and Ritalin[10:47] From dropout to PhD: the inspiration story[11:00] Dr. Miller's Cokenders program - Ritalin to cocaine pipeline[12:00] Marriage across borders: Utica to Toronto love story[15:45] Dr. Miller's wife's cancer journey and dense breast tissue warning[19:00] Radical transparency in personal conversations[20:00] Why individual psychedelic therapy costs are unsustainable[21:00] The 99% reality: underground and group-based therapy[23:00] Myco Meditations Jamaica research methodology[26:00] "From Isolation to Social and Psychedelic Integration" study[28:00] Clinical trials vs. real-world group dynamics[30:00] 11 strangers becoming therapeutic allies[32:00] Opening up about "deepest, darkest fears"[33:00] Collective effervescence in healing communities[34:00] Collaboration with Dr. Daniel Kruger on psychedelic surveys[36:00] The dosing protocol: escalating 3-5g to 7-10g[38:00] Integration circles: 11 participants, 8-9 therapists[40:00] The price reality: $8,000-$10,000+ per retreat[42:00] 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck[44:00] Vision for accessible group therapy clinics[47:00] Howard Becker's social learning theory of drug use[49:00] Brotherhood of Eternal Love and Timothy Leary connection[51:00] Modern surfers and medicalized psychedelic useResources:Journal article: "From Isolation to Social and Psychedelic Integration: A Sociology of Collective Effervescence and Therapeutic Community in Psychedelic‐Assisted Therapy" (Sociology of Health and Illness 2025)Myco Meditations Jamaica retreat program This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healingTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approach to underground therapy [12:51] The economics don't add up - $5,000 minimum per session [15:02] Why FDA requires two therapists in the room [21:43] The hidden history of LGBTQ oppression with psychedelics [22:14] "Tim Leary said LSD is a specific cure for homosexuality" [23:44] Teenage conversion therapy - 800μg doses [25:15] "The transcripts are terrifying" [26:07] Living male-female dyad requirements [27:29] "There's a war on trans folks in the United States" [28:59] All LGBTQ research being shut down [31:54] Intersectional violence in NYC [35:50] The masculinity crisis and violence [37:17] Post-traumatic sexual stress disorder theory [41:41] Embrace Pleasure book - reclaiming psychedelic sexuality [43:29] Unwanted complications vs. adverse effects [45:29] Sexual boundary violations in psychedelic therapy [48:15] Why silence enables abuse [50:15] The small percentage of predators [54:43] Empowerment model for participants [57:44] Mandatory disclosure laws proposal [59:59] Who should avoid psychedelics [01:04:59] Should therapists have psychedelic experience? [01:12:13] Final thoughts: "The future is unwritten" Resources:EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy Queering Psychedelics NYU Langone Center for Psychedelic Medicine Dance Safe (harm reduction) The Fireside Project (peer support)Connect with Dr. Belser: Email: alex.belser@gmail.com Subscribe for weekly interviews: mindbodyhealthpolitics.org This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Discover how scientific self-experimentation went from heroic standard practice to career-ending stigma—and what we lost about consciousness research in the process.Why 19th-century scientists routinely self-experimented with psychoactive substancesHow the 1962 FDA amendments changed scientific culture foreverThe underground networks continuing psychedelic research outside institutionsWhat the MDMA therapy rejection reveals about modern scientific politicsLinks & Resources:"Psychonauts" by Mike Jay"Free Radicals: How a Group of Romantic Experimenters Gave Birth to Psychedelic Science"Full interview available on Mind Body Health & Politics podcastImperial College London psychedelic researchNative American Church peyote ceremoniesTimestamped Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction: The Scholar's Privilege (02:00) - When Self-Experimentation Was Standard Practice(05:00) - Humphrey Davy and the Birth of Psychedelic Science (11:00) - Freud, Cocaine, and Neurasthenia (15:00) - William James and the Stream of Consciousness (20:00) - Barry Marshall: The Last Nobel Prize Self-Experimenter (25:00) - How the FDA Changed Everything in 1962 (30:00) - UK Government vs. Psychedelic Research (35:00) - MDMA Therapy and Medical Double Standards (40:00) - The Underground Networks Filling the Gap This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Richard Miller speaks with Satya, a Portuguese healer and former professional surfer, about the vital importance of self-care for those in helping professions. From the healing power of small communities to the ongoing work of trauma integration, this discussion offers practical wisdom for sustaining oneself while serving others.About Our GuestSatya is a 47-year-old healer based in Portugal who transitioned from professional surfing to founding the Awareness Facilitator School, which combines psychotherapy, meditation, quantum physics, ancient philosophies, and bodywork. Her approach emphasizes helping clients "rise in consciousness" rather than treating them as patients.Key Topics & Timestamps02:10 - Life in a small Portuguese surfer village and the healing power of community10:23 - Satya's journey from professional surfer to healer13:42 - The profound impact of ayahuasca on healing deep trauma17:33 - Dr. Miller's parallel journey creating Wilbur Hot Springs as a nature sanctuary22:26 - The importance of self-care for healers and caregivers26:56 - Practical approaches to maintaining well-being: silence, rest, and food30:15 - Satya's personal healing journey with childhood sexual abuse35:12 - Dr. Miller shares his own experience with childhood sexual trauma39:46 - The Awareness Facilitator School and its approach to healing43:04 - Nutrition practices for optimal health and healing48:06 - Important health information about breast cancer detection51:26 - The importance of strength training as we age55:41 - Final message: "Don't abandon yourself" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Renowned psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams reveals how racial trauma affects people of color daily, and offers three practical actions anyone can take to create positive change.How subtle, everyday racism leads to lasting psychological injury through "microaggressions"Why many of us are conditioned not to see racism, even when it's happening right in front of usThe shocking study showing it took 80 phone calls for a Black man to find a therapist who would see himThree practical steps everyone can take to combat racism and promote healingLinks & ResourcesHealing the Wounds of Racial Trauma by Dr. Monnica WilliamsMind Body Health Politics Archives - Listen to our full 20-year archive freeThe Kenneth Clark Doll Study - The landmark research mentioned in our conversationAmerican Psychological Association's Apology for Role in Promoting RacismTimestamped Chapters(00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Monnica Williams: Social Justice Royalty (01:00) - Growing Up with Civil Rights Activist Parents (03:00) - Understanding Racial Trauma: When Racism Becomes Injury (05:00) - The Shocking Truth About Finding Therapists for People of Color (08:00) - What Is a Microaggression? Small Acts with Major Impact (12:00) - The Academic Battle to Recognize Racial Trauma (15:00) - 2024 Election: Why Some People Vote Against Their Interests (17:00) - Personal Stories: Witnessing Racism Over Six Decades (26:00) - Police Encounters: From Traffic Stops to Trauma (31:00) - Self-Examination: Questions to Uncover Your Own Biases (34:00) - The Shortage of Therapists of Color: A Systemic Problem (39:00) - Study Reveals Most White People Never Stand Up Against Racism (43:00) - Three Things Anyone Can Do to Create Positive Change (47:00) - Closing Thoughts: The Ongoing Work of Building JusticeSuggested YouTube Title Options:The Hidden Impact of Racial Trauma (And 3 Ways to Make a Difference)"I Don't Want to See That Look" - How Racism Creates Lasting TraumaStop Ignoring These Microaggressions - They're Harming People Every Day This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

MDMA-assisted therapy could be key to healing Ukraine's war trauma—and might even help mend our own divided society's psychological wounds.Key Insights:MAPS' Phase 3 clinical trials showed 72.6% of severe PTSD patients no longer qualified for diagnosis after MDMA therapyGroup therapy combined with MDMA shows enormous promise for healing communities facing widespread traumaEpigenetic research suggests processing trauma with psychedelics could prevent passing trauma to future generationsAmerica's social division is creating its own psychological "war zone" that might benefit from psychedelic-assisted healingLinks & Resources:MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic StudiesPsychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, June 16-20, 2025Mind Body Health & PoliticsSuperhumans Center UkraineTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Introduction: Four Decades of Psychedelic Medicine Advocacy(00:03:00) - The Dark History Behind Drug Prohibition and Criminalization(00:05:42) - Inside Ukraine: Air Raid Sirens and Everyday Resilience(00:09:00) - Why MDMA Works: Revolutionary Results from PTSD Clinical Trials(00:16:00) - "I Don't Think I'll Have to Go to Nepal Now": Patient Transformation Stories(00:24:00) - From Underground to Mainstream: Political Science of Psychedelic Medicine(00:32:00) - Visiting the Cemetery of Flags: Confronting Ukraine's Massive Trauma(00:38:00) - Beyond Individual Therapy: Scaling MDMA Treatment for an Entire Nation(00:45:00) - Group Therapy's Multiplier Effect: Learning Through Others' Healing(00:50:00) - Transforming Relationships: MDMA's Potential for Couples and Families(00:54:00) - America's Own War Zone: How Social Division Creates Collective Trauma(00:59:00) - From Self-Actualization to Self-Transcendence: Maslow's Psychedelic Evolution(01:02:00) - The Astronaut Perspective: Seeing One Planet of People, Not Countries This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe