Psychedelics Then and Now with Zach Leary

Episode 15 - Dr. Joe Tafur: His Medicine Song
Dr. Joe Tafur returns to the podcast to talk about his fantastic new book "Medicine Song: Spiritual Healing and The Psychedelic Renaissance." This conversation, like Joe's book, is a personal glimpse into his very unique perspective on shamanic medicines through the lens of a western doctor that has been transformed into something new entirely. To say that Joe is any one thing is short sighted. Joe embodies the best standards and practices of ceremonial use but delivers it in a way that is humble, approachable and so full of wisdom. 
Intro: a recap on the questions we need to ask ourselves in the face of Trump's exeuctive order fast tracking FDA approval for psychedelic medicines. 
This episode is sponsored by Amentara Ethnobotanicals - https://www.amentara.com/
www.zachleary.net
https://www.drjoetafur.com/
www.psychedelicstoday.com

This episode of the podast is sponsored my Amentara Enthobotanicals
Visit: https://www.amentara.com/ and use the code LEARY22 to receive 22% off of your first order.
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Comedian Shane Mauss drops into the episode of the podcast to bring his one and only fantastasical wit and insights into our  minds and maybe even our souls! Shanes perspective on the psychedelic movement, science and mysticism is truly one of a kind. Turn up the volume and see if you can keep up with him! I did but only barely. 
His new comedy special TRIPS: First Dose is now live on YouTube on the 800lb Gorilla channel. 
Shane Mauss is an award-winning comedian (Conan, Kimmel, Comedy Central, Prime) with a fondness for interviewing scientists about the bizarre and counterintuitive ways the mind works and turning what he learns into solo shows that blend philosophy with comedy.
Originally recognized for his cerebral, absurdist writing and understated delivery, he veered off the traditional path to dive into bigger ideas with themed shows about consciousness, animal mating behavior, mental health, mythology, adaptations, cognitive errors, biology, and AI.
After a 111 city tour about psychedelics in 2017 which led to appearances on the biggest podcasts, his documentary 'Psychonautics', and the Comedy Central webseries 'Tales From The Trip' Shane became known as someone who could speak to wild experiences from a surprisingly grounded perspective.

Shane just released 'The First Dose' of a new two-part psychedelic comedy special, TRIPS.
'The Second Dose' drops April 19th (The anniversary of the discovery of LSD aka 'Bicycle Day')

Episode 13 - Joe Moore: The State of The Union
This episode of the podcast is sponsored by Amentara Ethnobotanicals. Head over to:
https://www.amentara.com/go/leary
Here we have an all new interview with non other than the great Joe Moore! We all know and love Joe for his continued work with Psychedelics Today but how many of you really know Joe and his wildy multi-disciplinary approach to life, spirituality, politics and psychedelics? Our conversation covered so much that it's impossible to distill it down into a few sentances. But sit down, relax and tune in! 
Joe Moore is the CEO and co-founder of Psychedelics Today. 
www.psychedelicstoday.com
www.zachleary.net

Episode 12 - Megan Bowers + Wendy Tucker: The Shulgin Legacy
In the ever shifting landscape of psychedelic culture it's important now, more than ever, to protect and expand on the legacies of those who came before us. This episode does exactly that - Megan and Wendy take us through the important work that The Shulgin Foundation is doing in not just honoring the legacies of Ann and Sasha but in also helping to educate a new generation of psychonauts. Through programs online and in person at the Shulgin Farm in California, Megan and Wendy are forging new heights for what's possible in the future of psychedelic education, harm reduction and chemistry.
Megan Bowers is the Interim Executive Director of The Shulgin Foundation and is a transformational coach, credentialed by the International Coaching Federation in Executive and Organizational Development Coaching.
Wendy Tucker is Ann Shulgin's daughter. She worked for many years with Sasha Shulgin, doing research, working with him in the office and in the lab. She owns Transform Press, the publishing company that the Shulgins created, and she manages a chiropractic office. Wendy has spearheaded the effort to preserve the Shulgin farm, the home of Sasha and Ann and the location of the historic lab. She created The Shulgin Foundation in 2023, a nonprofit dedicated to this preservation effort. She is the Board Chair of the Shulgin Foundation. 
For more information:
shulginfoundation.org

Episode 11 - Jonathan Dekle: Systems Minded Explorer 
This episode was such a blast to do! Jonathan is a wonderful thinker, raconteur and voyager of all things cosmic. His takes on the modern psychedelic movement is spot on as he points out the successes and pitfalls of what we're facing as a community. Our conversation took a look at legacy holders, transformation, low dose DMT and the importance of cognitive liberty. Jonathans voice is not to be missed! 
Jonathan Dekle is an entrepreneur, philosopher, and systems-minded explorer of consciousness whose work bridges technology, psychedelics, and human transformation. A former systems engineer who spent decades in the digital world, Jonathan now applies that same architecture of logic and interdependence to the inner terrain of the mind — where emotion, memory, and awareness form their own kind of code.
His path began through an interest in natural medicines for alcohol use disorder, a deeply personal search for equilibrium and repair. Over time, that curiosity evolved into a broader inquiry into the role of psychedelics as tools for integration and creativity, and the responsibilities that come with their use.
Jonathan speaks and writes about cognitive liberty the freedom to explore one's own consciousness with integrity and the importance of developing modern ceremonies of connection, such as music events and intentional gatherings, that meet the needs of today's culture rather than borrowing from those that came before.
He is an advocate for functional DMT dosing and other gentle, structured approaches to altered states emphasizing discernment, stability, and respect for the psyche's natural rhythms. His philosophy draws inspiration from Alexander "Sasha" Shulgin's words in PiHKAL:
"I choose what may or may not cross that border. Here I am the Customs Agent. I am the Coast Guard. I am the sole legal and spiritual government of this territory."
IG: glimpseofthewanderingmind
IG: theindoleproject