How do you rebuild yourself after a lifetime of trauma, and what role can psychedelics play in that healing journey?

In this episode, author and journalist Erica Rex joins Josh Cary to discuss her forthcoming book, Seeing What Is There: My Search for Sanity in the Psychedelic Era. Erica’s story is one of profound resilience, courage, and clarity. From enduring childhood abuse in a family of doctors to becoming one of the early clinical trial participants at Johns Hopkins for psilocybin-assisted therapy, Erica has lived on both sides of suffering and hope.

This conversation is a profoundly human exploration of what it takes to see life as it truly is, without illusion, denial, or fear. Whether you’ve experienced trauma yourself, are curious about the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, or simply want to hear an extraordinary personal journey of transformation, this episode will open your eyes to what healing can really look like.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

The Psychedelic Renaissance Explained

Erica breaks down why we’re living in a new psychedelic era, how research returned after decades of prohibition and what it means for mental health today.

Inside a Landmark Psilocybin Trial

Hear firsthand what it was like to participate in one of the first modern clinical studies at Johns Hopkins exploring psilocybin’s impact on depression and trauma.

Trauma, Memory, and Survival

Erica opens up about her abusive childhood and the lasting psychological effects and how the long road to recovery began only after she left home and found safe spaces to speak her truth.

The Moment Everything Changed

Discover the pivotal realization that helped Erica separate herself from her trauma and finally understand: it was never her fault.

The Limits and Power of Psychedelics

Psychedelics are not a cure-all, Erica emphasizes but when used responsibly and with guidance, they can open the door to new perspectives, self-compassion, and connection to the larger universe.

Finding the Right Help

From skilled trauma therapists to trusted community, Erica shares why not all therapy is created equal and how finding the right support can mean the difference between retraumatization and recovery.

Seeing What Is There

Learn what it truly means to “see what is there” to strip away illusion, face the truth of your past, and reclaim your wholeness in the present.

About the Guest

Erica Rex is an award-winning writer and journalist whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Scientific American, Vogue, and National Geographic. Her upcoming book, Seeing What Is There: My Search for Sanity in the Psychedelic Era, blends memoir and cultural commentary to explore the intersections of trauma, healing, and the modern psychedelic movement.