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In part two of our conversation with Villanova visiting professor of philosophy Emma Stamm, we discuss the "psychedelic industry's" increasing fixation on digital capitalism. Looking at apps like MyDelica and hardware like Kernel's brain-scanning helmet, we discuss how the social implications of this technology extend well beyond psychedelia. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation. **Thank you to our $10+ Patreon podcast and video supporters: Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Annick McIntosh, Dustin T, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, John Bannon, Miller, Hooks, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Zeph Tam

In part one of our conversation with Villanova visiting professor of philosophy Emma Stamm, we discuss Mark Fisher’s Acid Communism, leftist thought in psychedelia, Jacques Derrida’s hauntology, and Byung-Chul Han’s Psychopolitics: Neoliberalism and New Technologies of Power. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: https://youtu.be/-68rSz1BePE  Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation. **Thank you to our $10+ Patreon podcast and video supporters: Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Tehseen Noorani, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Annick McIntosh, Dustin T, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, John Bannon, Miller, Hooks, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach, Zeph Tam

In Part Two, the crew continues their break down of Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's recent appearance on right-wing YouTuber Dave Rubin's "The Rubin Report." Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: https://youtu.be/Rts3vgy_zkU Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation. **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

In Part One, the crew breaks down Atai Life Sciences' founder and COMPASS Pathways investor Christian Angermayer's recent appearance on right-wing YouTuber Dave Rubin's "The Rubin Report." Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Watch: https://youtu.be/Rts3vgy_zkU Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation. **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

The crew reviews Michael Pollan’s recent New York Times Op-Ed "How Should We Do Drugs Now?”   Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Normand, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne   Additional links:    Michael Pollan: Not So Fast on Psychedelic Mushrooms | New York Times   #1 - We Hope Michael Pollan Changes His Mind | Plus Three podcast   Michael Pollan worries we don't know enough to legalise psychedelic drugs | The Guardian   Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

In Part Two Normie, Dave, Russell, and Sarvesh continue their conversation about Atai Life Sciences and how the introduction of for-profit psychedelic pharmaceutical corporations have shifted capital away from non-profits. This episode gets extra wacky and dark as they dive into Atai Founder & Chairman Christian Angermayer's role on Rwandan president Paul Kagame's Advisory Council. According to Human Rights Watch, journalist Michela Wrong, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, various governments, and many other media outlets, Kagame is a tyrant who has murdered, disappeared, and arrested numerous political opponents, journalists, critics, and citizens. Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Additional links:  The real life “Black Panther” miracle by Christian Angermayer Hotel Rwanda activist’s daughter placed under Pegasus surveillance Christian Angermayer’s ATAI Life Sciences is positioned to take the psychedelic throne from MAPS Analyzing the Atai Life Sciences IPO | Business Trip podcast Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

Brian Normand, David Nickles, and Russell Hausfeld are joined by new team member, Sarvesh Ramprakash, to discuss Atai Life Sciences' recent IPO on Nasdaq. They also discuss and provide updates on Russell's previous 2020 report exploring how the introduction of for-profit psychedelic pharmaceutical corporations has shifted capital away from non-profits. Watch: https://youtu.be/zijXN5GCgsk Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld, Sarvesh Ramprakash. Editor: Matt Payne Episode links:  Christian Angermayer’s ATAI Life Sciences is positioned to take the psychedelic throne from MAPS No Direction Home by Norman Spinrad Analyzing the Atai Life Sciences IPO | Business Trip podcast Support: If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

In Part Two, the Psymposia crew continues to deconstruct a conversation between two self-described entrepreneurs who recently discussed psychedelics and medicalization during an event called Psychedelic Capitalism with Alexander Beiner [Rebel Wisdom] and Lars Wilde [COMPASS Pathways, Atai Life Sciences]— while studiously avoiding a debate of capitalism altogether. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNHX3OIO3-4 Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Pace, Brian Normand, David Nickles. Editor: Matt Payne If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

The Psymposia crew deconstructs a conversation between two self-described entrepreneurs who recently discussed psychedelics and medicalization during an event called Psychedelic Capitalism with Alexander Beiner [Rebel Wisdom] and Lars Wilde [COMPASS Pathways, Atai Life Sciences]— while studiously avoiding a debate of capitalism altogether. Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNHX3OIO3-4 Read: https://newrepublic.com/article/159019/break-big-pharma-monopoly-covid-19-vaccine Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, Brian Pace, Brian Normand, David Nickles. Editor: Matt Payne If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson, Sandra Dreisbach.

Ioan Grillo is a journalist who has reported on the Mexican Drug War and cartel violence for the last 20 years. His books include "El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency,” "Gangster Warlords: Drug Dollars, Killing Fields, and the New Politics of Latin America,” and "Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels.” In this episode we discuss his newest book, Blood Gun Money, which is a look at how the illegal gun and drug trades are intertwined, and how U.S. gun laws result in firearms making their way into black market in Mexico and Latin America, including into the hands of drug cartels. Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson

Ioan Grillo is a journalist who has reported on the Mexican Drug War and cartel violence for the last 20 years. His books include "El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency,” "Gangster Warlords: Drug Dollars, Killing Fields, and the New Politics of Latin America,” and "Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels.” In this episode we discuss his newest book, Blood Gun Money, which is a look at how the illegal gun and drug trades are intertwined, and how U.S. gun laws result in firearms making their way into black market in Mexico and Latin America, including into the hands of drug cartels.   Co-hosts: Brian Normand, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne   If you like the show please support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.    **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson

Psymposia sits down with Thought Slime to chat about carving out a leftist space in psychedelia. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne   Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation Watch this episode: https://youtu.be/NoIX8Gj30HQ Thought Slime’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThoughtSlime/   Contents of this podcast   Reasons for reaching out to Thought Slime "Making the world a harder place to have a bad trip” Introductions / Why we care about psychedelics Drug Exceptionalism / Criminalization History of McDonald's mascot, Grimace Corporadelia Dose the Water 2.0 What is "Corporate Harm Reduction”? Psychdedelic authoritarians and the Nazi roots of the term "psychonaut” Psychedelic conferences and Leftist perspectives in psychedelia The DMT Nexus COMPASS Pathways' conflicts Martin Ball Saga BreadTube Parasocial relationships Cultural appropriation of psychedelics Public Opulence Ethics struggles in criminalized spaces Anarchy /Anarchism   Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters:    Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Aaron Williams, Abigail Bianchi, Amander Alexander, Annick McIntosh, Ben Yono, Christian Dawley, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Dave Ayers, Jason Gross, Jenine Innes, Jess Walker, John Bannon, Julia, Leon Boroditsky, Maryann Kehoe, Meghan Kennedy, Miller Hooks, Nathan Espinosa, Samy Tammam, Starbuck, Tehseen Noorani, Whitney Joiner.    

Psymposia advisory board member and psychedelic researcher, Jae Sevelius, joins us to talk about queer theory, psychedelic research with transgender and gender diverse people, and what happens when political assumptions go unexamined in both research contexts and the world at large. Drawing on the work of Dr. Sevelius, as well as Dr. Devenot and Dr. Ross, we discuss some of the ways that research and social relations reproduce the logic of mainstream culture, and how queering acts as barrier to and disruption of that reproduction. Co-hosts: Lily Kay Ross, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Normand, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson

Psymposia editors discuss Dr. Martin Ball’s “session info” document that the retired 5-MeO-DMT practitioner sent to Psymposia. Dr. Ball has referenced the document in defense of his practices and cites it as evidence that his clients consented to him touching their genitals or vomiting on them while under the influence of 5-MeO-DMT. Our analysis shows that this isn’t actually a consent document. It sets the stage for what is considered normal, and positions Dr. Ball as the ultimate authority on the subject. It creates expectations which render people more vulnerable while filtering out those who are less susceptible to manipulation tactics and who notice the red flags early on. Co-hosts: Lily Kay Ross, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  For more: Full "Session Info" document: https://www.psymposia.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MB-Session-Info-Sheet.pdf Psymposia video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qabODDTigNQ Psymposia article: https://www.psymposia.com/magazine/haden-ball-maps-canada-resignation-5meo-dmt-practitioner-abuse/ Martin Ball's 2016 presentation at Los Angeles Medicinal Plant Society (LAMPS) https://youtu.be/PQctOMSmBuk Octavio Rettig malpractice https://youtu.be/aGJRcb5tRPU   **Thank you to our Patreon podcast and video supporters: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, Jon Hanna, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben Yono, Nathan Espinosa, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon, Clifford Hudson

Psymposia Advisory Board member Alex Zaitchik drops in to chat about his work and experiences as an investigative journalist with a critical analysis of capitalism. Alex has covered topics ranging from the effects of extractive industry on Indigenous communities, to the existential need for degrowth, and the economics of vaccine development.   Check out Alex's writing here: https://www.zaitchik.com   Co-hosts: David Nickles, Brian Normand, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne   Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.    Thank you to our podcast and video patrons:   Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon   .

In this episode, we're joined by our new advisory board member Yarelix Estrada to discuss her experiences with organizing psychedelic societies, psychedelic exceptionalism, and harm reduction on the streets of New York. Yarelix shares insights from her formal and practical training in public health as well as her interactions with frontline communities and her personal experiences. Co-hosts: Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  Thank you to our podcast and video patrons: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon

Brian Normand and David Nickles are joined by Psymposia Senior Writer Russell Hausfeld to discuss MindMed's CEO, Jamon Rahn's, recent claims that his company "may be creating effectively the Tesla of mental health,” and that the company is now a "$1B+ Unicorn.” Tesla, for those unaware, has been sued by (and settled with) the SEC for securities fraud, flaunted COVID-19 (and other) safety guidelines, and has experienced so many lawsuits and controversies even its wikipedia page acknowledges, "This is a partial list of the surrounding lawsuits and controversies...Tesla is party to over 800 lawsuits.” And oh yeah, Tesla’s stock is an absurd bubble. It's a bold comparison for Rahn to make, but we believe him when he tells us what he's aiming for. Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  Previous stories: MindMed’s CEO Jamon “JR” Rahn Wants Nothing To Do With Those Psychedelic Decrim People Bicycle Day 2020 Was Truly Historic, But Not for the Reasons You Think Thank you to our podcast and video patrons: Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon

In this episode, we discuss a prominent participant in the bumbling coup attempt of January 6: "QAnon Shaman" Jake Angeli. Along with a coalition of Donald Trump supporters and assorted right wing ideologues, Angeli stormed the Capitol following a speech by Trump. Featuring a dissection of an "Ascension Masterclass" that was hosted on Angeli's now-deleted Star Seed Academy Facebook page, we (once again) wade into the disturbing world of psychedelic authoritarianism. Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace. Editor: Matt Payne *Patrons* Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Ben ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander, Jason Gross, Paige Hausfeld, John Bannon

This episode explores the rise of self-styled “thought leaders” within the psychedelic community, using Anand Giridharadas’ book “Winners Take All” as a jumping off point. Although people have been on the conference circuit for years, the recent explosion of capital investments means that there’s an unprecedented potential for money, celebrity, and status in the space. The thought leader proposes quick fixes that are palatable to the people who are in positions of power, who then seek to privatize those “solutions” while enriching themselves along the way. While they talk about leading the way to meaningful change, they’re really just focusing on the symptoms—and getting paid while they’re doing that. Corporate consulting firms like McKinsey & Co typify this dynamic as they propose “solutions” that do little more than enrich themselves and their corporate paymasters. While psychedelic “thought leaders” offer up their ideas as solutions to the world’s problems, we take a look at how the “thought leader” cozies up to power under capitalism in a way that perpetuates the status quo. Support the show on Patreon. Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  *Patrons* Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander

We kicked off the start of our ongoing livestreams with the announcement of Psymposia's 501(c)(3) non-profit status, discussions of corporadelic dynamics, fond memories of helping people learn how to extract psychedelic drugs during an Ivy League University's psychedelic conference, and a whole bunch of back and forth with the audience about the current state (and future) of psychedelia. Co-hosts: Brian Normand, Neşe Devenot, David Nickles, Brian Pace, Russell Hausfeld. Editor: Matt Payne Support us on Patreon or make a tax-deductible donation.  *Patrons* Reliable Spores, Houston Puck, Dave Hodges, James Hubbard, Lindsay Munson, Evan Freimuth, Abigail Bianchi, Meghan Kennedy, Dave Ayers, Darrell Duane, Tehseen Noorani, Tariqul Islam, Clifford Hudson, Daniel McQueen, Maryann Kehoe, Yono ohno, Nathan Espinosa, Srikanth Cherla, Bill Harvest, Annick McIntosh, Starbuck, Anne Sagewood, Aaron Williams, Jenine Innes, Julia A, Jesse Liberty, Christian Dawley, Leon Boroditsky, Samy Tammam, Amanda Alexander