Manvir Singh - Decoding Shamanism: Psychedelics, Power, and the Architecture of Ritual
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes anthropologist and author Dr. Manvir Singh to explore the enduring power of shamanism as a psychological and cultural technology. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-311/?ref=278 Singh discusses insights from his fieldwork with the Mentawai people and Amazonian Yopo shamans, explaining how ritual, performance, and belief help people manage uncertainty and catalyze healing. Together with Paul, he examines the contested history of ancient psychedelic use, the risks of neo-shamanic narratives, and the deep psychological roots of sacred ceremony. Dr. Manvir Singh is an assistant professor of anthropology at the University of California, Davis. He holds a BA from Brown University and a PhD in human evolutionary biology from Harvard. His writing has appeared in The New Yorker, Wired, The Guardian, and top academic journals. His first book, Shamanism: The Timeless Religion, was published in 2025. Highlights: Shamanism as a psychological technology Performance, otherness, and credibility in healing Yopo, bufotenine, and entheogenic archaeology Why ancient psychedelic use is hard to verify The tension between tradition and neo-shamanism What happens when ceremony loses its context Episode Sponsors: Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout These show links may contain affiliate links. Third Wave receives a small percentage of the product price if you purchase through the above affiliate links.
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Natalie Baird-King, a board-certified attorney in marital and family law who discovered the transformative power of forgiveness through psychedelic experiences. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-310/?ref=278 Natalie shares her journey from childhood abuse and depression to spiritual healing catalyzed by ayahuasca. As the author of Forgiving Unforgivable, she explains her HOPE model (Harken back, Open your heart, Proclaim forgiveness, Experience freedom) and how forgiveness—particularly self-forgiveness—became the key to healing her trauma and stepping into her purpose. Natalie also discusses how her psychedelic experiences improved her professional approach as a mediator, bringing more compassion to her legal practice and inspiring her to share her story despite potential professional risks. Natalie Baird-King is an accomplished author, transformational coach, and TEDx speaker dedicated to helping others overcome trauma and embrace forgiveness. She is the author of Forgiving Unforgivable and is currently working on her second book focusing on self-forgiveness. A survivor of childhood abuse, Natalie channels her personal experiences into coaching high-performing professionals to overcome emotional barriers. Inspired by her late father-in-law, legendary broadcaster Larry King, Natalie uses storytelling to empower others to heal and thrive. Highlights: Stumbling upon forgiveness through ayahuasca The practice of self-forgiveness as liberation Reconnecting with her father in a celestial journey Breaking free from depression and alcohol dependency The HOPE forgiveness model Bringing compassion to the legal profession Challenging professional stigma around psychedelics Mentorship from legendary broadcaster Larry King Advocating for psychedelic healing within legal circles Transforming anger into purpose Episode links: Forgiving Unforgivable (Book) Natalie Baird Mediations Episode links: Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
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Rachel Pastor & Tiffany Hurd - Microdosing for Real Life: Parenting, PTSD, and Professional Growth
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin sits down with Rachel Pastor and Tiffany Hurd, leaders behind Golden Rule Mushrooms, a woman-led microdosing company pushing the boundaries of accessibility, education, and intention in the psychedelic space. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-309/?ref=278 From overcoming heroin addiction and corporate burnout to leading a values-driven microdosing brand, Rachel and Tiffany share their powerful personal journeys and the mission that fuels their work today. They dive into the evolving landscape of legal psychedelics, the challenges of running a public-facing microdosing company, and the line between recreational use and intentional wellness. This candid conversation explores how Golden Rule is reframing the perception of psychedelics by offering trustworthy, well-branded psilocybin and LSD microdoses paired with community support and education. Rachel Pastor is the co-founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms and a passionate advocate for healing through psychedelics. After overcoming heroin addiction and years of trauma, she became a leader in the wellness space, working in fitness and personal development before discovering the transformative power of microdosing. Today, she channels her lived experience into helping others access safe, supportive, and empowering psychedelic tools. Tiffany Hurd is the co-founder of Golden Rule Mushrooms, a microdosing advisor, leadership mentor, and speaker with over seven years of experience in the psychedelic space. She has guided hundreds of individuals and teams through intentional microdosing journeys using neuroscience-backed protocols. Tiffany’s work bridges personal transformation and professional growth, helping people build emotional resilience, unlock creativity, and heal with integrity. Ready to try Golden Rule? Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout. Click Here. Highlights: From heroin addiction to fitness leader to microdosing advocate Creating accessible, trusted microdosing products Navigating legality and risk in a gray-market space Building a woman-run company rooted in lived experience The role of education in safe microdosing use Wellness vs. recreational use Can microdosing be overused or misused? Microdosing as a catalyst—not a cure-all Episode Sponsor: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave’s Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
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Victoria Lynn Carroll - Surrender & Storytelling: A Filmmaker's Ayahuasca Journey
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Victoria Lynn Carroll, a Los Angeles-based filmmaker who made an unconventional journey from actor to documentary filmmaker. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-308/?ref=278 Victoria shares how a vision during an ayahuasca ceremony inspired her to create her directorial debut, She Is a Shaman, which provides an intimate look into the personal life of a female ayahuasca shaman in the Peruvian Amazon. She discusses the challenges of filming in the jungle without electricity, the personal transformations that coincided with her creative process, and her decision to release the film for free on YouTube, where it has garnered over 350,000 views. Victoria explores the intersection of sacred storytelling, the role of women in shamanic traditions, and how creating art became a form of surrender for her. Episode Highlights: Receiving the documentary vision during ayahuasca ceremony Filming challenges without electricity in Peru's jungle The paradoxical everyday life of female shamans Navigating ethics while filming sacred ceremonies Personal divorce synchronizing with creative breakthrough Mystery guest's stormy behavior at the center Choosing free YouTube distribution over streaming deals Surrender as the filmmaker's creative process Unknown Canadian refugee drama at the center The translator who fled with bug-bitten lover Selected Links: 'She Is a Shaman on YouTube Victoria's Website Episode Sponsors: Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
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Richard Blake, Ph.D. - Healing Through Breath: Science, Safety & Somatics
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Dr. Richard Blake, a pioneering psychologist and breathwork researcher, to discuss the science and clinical application of Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB). Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-307/?ref=278 Dr. Blake shares key insights from his groundbreaking randomized controlled trial—the largest to date—on the effectiveness of CCB for reducing anxiety. The conversation explores the distinctions between breathwork modalities, how altered states are reached without substances, and why trauma-informed facilitation is essential for safe practice. Paul and Dr. Blake also dive into the pitfalls of mainstream psychotherapy, the overlooked power of lifestyle interventions, and how breathwork compares to both SSRIs and psychedelics in measurable outcomes. Dr. Richard Blake holds a PhD in Transpersonal Psychology and is a pioneering researcher in the field of breathwork, psychedelics, and holistic mental health. He conducted the largest-ever randomized controlled trial on Conscious Connected Breathwork (CCB), providing groundbreaking scientific evidence on its effects on anxiety and well-being. Dr. Blake works with RUNGA, where he is dedicated to advancing the evolution of mental health treatments—moving beyond head-centered approaches to include breathwork, psychedelics, nutrition, exercise, and other integrative healing practices. His mission is to help people unlock deeper levels of psychological resilience, nervous system regulation, and self-awareness through embodied and experiential methods. Highlights: Why breathwork is a potent tool for trauma and anxiety Comparing Holotropic Breathwork to newer trauma-informed approaches Facilitator-to-client ratio standards for safety The ethics and economics of group breathwork sessions Inside the largest randomized trial on CCB for anxiety Why 5% adverse effects matters—and how it compares to SSRIs The “pivotal mental states” hypothesis explained Integration of talk therapy and altered states The power of community and connection in healing From peak performance to depth psychology: Dr. Blake’s story Episode Links: Website RUNGA Breathguru Richard on Instagram RUNGA 90-DAY INTENSIVE, START NOW FOR FREE. Episode Sponsons: Golden Rule Mushrooms - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
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