The Psychedelic Society South Africa Podcast
By Psychedelic Society South Africa
The Psychedelic Society South Africa PodcastJun 28, 2021
Holding Space for Psychedelic Experiences with Nir & Igal of Safe Shore
Today’s episode is all about our upcoming event Holding Space.
Holding Space is a 3-Day in-person training workshop that teaches psychedelic care, crisis intervention and psychedelic integration derived from mindfulness and psychotherapeutic approaches, to anyone who wants to learn how to hold space for psychedelic experiences.
We'll be hosting workshops in Johannesburg from 21-23 July and one in Cape Town from 14-16 July.
Sign up or find out more about the event HERE.
And learn more about Nir, Igal and their work HERE.
In this episode, we talk about:
- What is the ‘Holding Space’ workshop?
- Who is it for?
- What’s included?
- Who Nir and Igal are, and what they do
- The difference in outcome between a situation where someone does vs does not get support during a difficult psychedelic experience
- The dangers of being perceived as being ‘crazy’ during a difficult trip
- Psychedelically induced PTSD
- The 4 key tenets of holding space
- The difference between normal psychotherapy and psychedelic psychotherapy
- Trusting the inner healer of the participant
- Why training is important even though this work is largely intuitive
- Integration
- The adverse effects of a really good trip
- What to do if you feel ‘broken’ by a psychedelic experience
First Women's Focused phase 2 Psilocybin Trial on the African Continent
Donaghue Woodman is the Head of Research and Development for CMG Global and Director for CannhealthMD, global pharmaceutical and educational based companies driving acceptance and change in the cannabis and psychedelic medicine space. She has more than 13 years of experience within the Pharmaceutical industry in the public and private sector. She is an MBA graduate, holds a degree in Biochemistry, Honours in Ethnopharmacology and has been awarded a scholarship in 2021 to undertake a Master’s in Psychology through Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. She is now heading the first women’s focused phase 2 psilocybin trial on the African continent.
In this episode:
- A description of the psilocybin trials, including the theoretical basis, chosen target population, trial protocol, dosage, reliability and validity
- The interaction of oestrogen levels and psychedelics
- The significance of these trials in the South African mental health space
- Risks associated with commercialisation and capitalisation of psychedelics
- The importance of psychoeducation in the psychedelic space
- The importance of holistic psychedelic treatment models
- Readying your heart space for a psychedelic journey
- The potential of psychedelic medicine for individuals suffering from Schizophrenia
- Making psychedelic medicine accessible to all
You can contact Donaghue at D.woodman@cannsun.com or 0674006894 and you can find CannSun through their website https://cannsun.com/
Brigitte Heeb - Ceremony As an Extension of Soul, Lightworkers and The Essence of Channelling
In this podcast Nick interviews good friend, Brigitte Heeb.
Briggs or Mama B is a multi-facetted healer who's goal of guiding people through their ascension process has brought thousands within her frequency.
Her expertise lay within mushroom ceremonies and breathwork, but are in no way there limited.
There's a beautiful moment in this podcast where Mama B stops us and asks us to take a heartfelt breath. If you're able to suspend your resistance, she plunges you into a sweet moment of serenity.
In this podcast:
* The processes of a Briggs-style ceremony.
* Maternal energy and deciding who gets into the ceremony.
* What are frequencies?
* The awakened vs the indoctrinated state.
* How do we balance being a healer without generational teaching?
* What are lightworkers?
* Where is the balance between Light and dark?
* The dangers and gifts of charlotonne healers
* What is channeling, and how to go about it.
* Light language and more.
Links:
Free Online Psychedelic Breathwork: https://www.bodhibreathwork.com/events
Briggite's Website: https://brigitteheeb.kartra.com/page/about
Hunting Magic Mushrooms in South Africa with Jon Mac Gillivray
Jon Mac Gillivray is an renowned mushroom expert, businessman and author in the field of Mycology.
He is a qualified field guide with vast experience in translating the wilds and has over 20 years of guiding experience and has been hunting fungi for over 14 years.
Jon is currently the president of the Mycological Society of Southern Africa (MSOSA) and the Chief Strategic Officer for Mycocorp, a company involved in mushroom facility design and production.
In this episode:
* Jon’s personal journey with mushrooms
* Jon’s vision of reconnecting individuals to nature and each other through mushrooms
* Mushrooms role of creating balance in our external and internal ecosystems
* Hunting magic mushrooms in South Africa
* How foraging enhances your connection to the mushroom medicine
* Species of magic mushrooms Jon has discovered in South Africa - focus on the Natal Super Strength
* Empowering others by sharing knowledge in the psychedelic space
* Having fun and connecting to your inner child through magic mushrooms
* Jon’s involvement in the cultivation of the world’s first commercial crop of psilocybin mushrooms in Lesotho
* Challenges involved in mushroom facility design and cultivation
* Benefits of growing your own mushrooms
* Potency variance within the same species of magic mushroom and improving consistency
Vanessa Jarvis - How Psilocybin Saved My Life
Vanessa is a major social justice and cannabis activist and founder of the holistic cannabis organisation Neked in Clarens. Vanessa has struggled throughout her life with various mental health issues and cancers and has used a combination of psilocybin, cannabis, sound medicine and art therapy to heal herself.
Thank you so much to Vanessa for being on this podcast and for your advocacy and courage in the plant medicine sphere.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
* The havoc that the pharmaceutical industry wreaked on Vanessa’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
* How psilocybin mushrooms helped Vanessa completely wean herself off of pharmaceutical drugs and heal from her trauma
* Traumatisation during the pandemic and the increasingly imperative role of plant medicine
* The magic mushroom as the most forgiving, understanding and all-encompassing mother
* How Vanessa healed her cervical cancer using cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms
* Intuitive dosing and the importance of dosage
* How mushrooms can change your life - the importance of intention
* Acknowledging, respecting and embracing the spiritual experience of plant medicines
* How plant medicine facilitates deeper connection in partnerships
* Official announcement of South Africa’s first full cannabis experience hosted by Neked on the weekend of Human Right’s Day 2022
Find out more about Neked here - https://neked.co.za
Anton and Rhodi-Anne - At Home Soma Journeys and the Role of the Watcher
Anton and Rhodi-Anne are watchers at Somaland. They organise and facilitate online and in person mushroom journeys alongside Monica Cromhout.
Thank you so much to Anton and Rhodi Anne for being on the podcast and for your unbelievable integrity and humility with which you serve.
Here’s what we cover in this episode:
- Anton and Rhodi Anne’s personal journey with Monica
- Hosting various retreat spaces
- Serving as a watcher - understanding what mushroom people need
- Advice for people feeling called to facilitate or partake
- Trusting the universal wisdom of the mushroom
- Online mushroom retreats - advantages and challenges
- Couples journeying together
- How mushrooms are connecting us to love
Find more about Somaland here
If you believe that magic mushrooms shouldn’t be in the same category as heroine and crack cocaine, sign our petition to reschedule psilocybin here (http://psychedelicsociety.co.za/petition/)
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram
Jean Rossouw - Breathwork, Authenticity and Your Life Purpose
Jean Rossouw is a certified breathwork practitioner, yoga instructor and stress relief facilitator.
In this episode we cover:
- What is conscious connected breathing?
- How breathwork compares to the psychedelic experience
- Jean’s first breathwork experience and his calling as practitioner
- Creating a safe space for individuals to connect to their inner healer
- How breath brings us back to our authentic selves
- Why being real can be hard sometimes
- How breathwork can align us with our life purpose
- How breathwork heals anxiety and depression
- Other benefits of breathwork
Sign up for our FREE ONLINE BREATHWORK SESSION on the 16th of November
Find Jean’s work at www.bodhibreathwork.com
Or follow him on Instagram @bodhi_breathwork
If you believe that magic mushrooms shouldn’t be in the same category as heroine and crack cocaine, sign our petition to reschedule psilocybin here (http://psychedelicsociety.co.za/petition/)
Maaz Si - The Intersection of Sufism and Psychedelics
Maaz has worked extensively with indigenous plant medicines and knowledge systems. Combining Islamic Sufi Mysticism with the medicine (Nixi-Pae/Ayahuasca) of the native Huni Kuin people from Brazil.
As you’ll hear, Maaz is a man with a life-long calling to work with Ayahuasca, but also to reignite and integrate ancient knowledge systems back into society to reinstate harmony with ourselves and nature.
I first met Maaz at a Nixi-Pae (Ayahuasca) ceremony. I was astounded by his extensive knowledge and wisdom about plants and fungi as well has his ability to articulate the spiritual dimension of the experiences that they bring about.
His ability to remain so centered and composed after drinking copious amounts of Ayahuasca and hold space in the strong, elegant way that he does made me feel like I was Frodo fighting alongside Legolas.
I have since learned that this energy shines through Maaz in all that he does, and I am so grateful that he agreed to share some of it with us in this episode.
In this episode, we talk about:
- The Intersection of Sufism and Plant Medicine
- Maaz’ life changing first experience with Ayahuasca, and the journey he’s been on ever since
- How Maaz Combines the teachings of the Sufi’s and the Huni Kuin
- The risk of charlatans in the medicine world
- How to know if you’re being called to serve medicine
- Ayahuasca vs Mushrooms
- Why some people don’t have visions in Ayahuasca ceremonies
- What is surrender and is it the only thing we need to do in ceremony?
- Maaz recommends some tools for preparation and integration to support journeys
Birthing the Psychedelic Society Through the Hero's Journey and Reframing Mental Health with Mishka Latib
Today’s episode is as close to home as it gets for us.
Myself (Nicholas Stubbs) and PsySoc SA founder Mishka Latib have a conversation that covers many important but less spoken experiences that people new to the psychedelic space often find themselves in.
We go from giving our two cents on what to do if you find yourself having a ‘bad trip’ at a party, all the way into the depths of Mishka’s unbelievable life story so far.
The journey that lead Mishka to where she is now is one that should be heard by everyone going through any kind of struggle. The fact that she not only made it through, but has since developed into one of the most clear-headed and empowered people I know, is evidence that darkness precedes the light if you’re willing to face it.
We hope you enjoy this conversation!
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Mishka’s profound personal journey with plant medicine
- Where the Psychedelic society came from and where we see it going
- The new paradigm of healing
- Is plant medicine for you?
- How to deal with a ‘bad trip’ at a party
- The limitations and dangers of psychedelics
- The dark night of the soul which often accompanies healing
- The importance of finding a facilitator who ‘speaks your language’
- Surrendering and having the courage to become yourself
- Microdosing
- African and Western perspectives on plant medicine
- AND A WHOLE LOT MORE!
If you think that psilocybin should be rescheduled SIGN THE PETITION
Want to find us and stay up to date on Psychedelic News in South Africa? Check out our website or find us on Facebook and Instagr
Reconnecting to Our Inner Healer with Gui Tantan
Gui is a trained spiritual psychologist, family constellations teacher, interpreter and natural born clown from Brazil.
He has been working with a wide range of plant medicines and healing modalities, mainly Ayahuasca in Brazil and South Africa, for about 30 years now.
He likes to talk down the idea of having a Dharma or purpose, but he is clearly a man in full alignment with his own.
With the wisdom of an elder and the wonder of child, Gui brings his spirit of lightness and laughter to this conversation, making it an absolute delight to listen to!
Enjoy!
In this episode:
- Gui’s life path up until now
- How Gui came out of his shell as a shy young boy
- Gui’s involvement in the Santo Daime
- Death as the ultimate way to connect
- The alchemy of laughter
- 1 on 1 medicine sessions vs group ceremonies
- Family Constellations
- How psychedelics help release trauma
- The Medicine of Unity (San Pedro, peyote and Psilocybin, Ayahuasca and honey all mixed into one!)
- The healing potential of Marijuana. (The paranoia is the medicine working!)
- Psychedelic Therapy as a way to connect us back to our Inner Healers
- And a whole lot more…
Find Gui on Instagram or LinkedIn. If you want to learn more about Shamanic Family Constellations, check here
If you think that psilocybin should be rescheduled SIGN THE PETITION
Want to find us and stay up to date? Check out our website or find us on Facebook and Instagram
Our host is Nathan Maingard and you can find more of him and his medicinal music here
Françoise Bourzat on Becoming a Guide, How Mushrooms Heal and Celebration
Françoise Bourzat is a world leading psychedelic guide trainer. With over 30 years of experience combining indigenous wisdom with modern knowledge, she is truly at the forefront of the psychedelic renaissance and we could think of no one else we would rather have at the helm.
It is such an honor to have Francoise on the podcast. To be honest, we were quite surprised when she responded to our invite. After reading her book Consciousness Medicine, I felt a sense of deep comfort knowing that someone is doing this work in a way that acknowledges every aspect of being human and integrates the best of the old with the new ways with so much love and integrity that it feels like she’s giving you a big hug through the pages.
And thats exactly what this episode is. A big warm hug.
We hope you enjoy this one as much as we did.
Thank you Francoise!
In this conversation:
- What can the indigenous and modern ways learn from eachother?
- The importance of celebration in the healing process
- Preparation and Integration
- What qualifies the guide?
- The loving approach to the commodification of these medicines
- How do mushrooms actually heal?
- Why making the decision to heal is 50% of the journey
Links to Francoise Work:
Françoise is the co-founder of the Center for Consciousness Medicine, which is looking to become a world leading organization in training reputable psychedelic guides. Interested in becoming a trained psychedelic therapist? Check it out.
Françoise’s Book, Consciousness Medicine : Indigenous Wisdom, Psychedelic Therapy, and the Path of Transformation: A Practitioner's Guide is the first book I've read that simultaneously feels like a text book and an adventure novel and a letter from a loved one. Highly recommended for anyone anywhere on the medicine path.
Follow Françoise on Instagram @francoise_bourzat and the Center for Consciousness Medicine @centerforconsciousnessmedicine
She leads mushroom ceremonies and retreats for parents who have lost their children, in Jamaica
If you want to hear more of Françoise, checkout her recent podcast with Tim Ferris
Ayahuasca, Vision Quests and Giving Back with Liesl Kruger
From tax lawyer to prestigious medicine woman, Liesl Kruger is one of the most respected people in the plant medicine world of South Africa.
With 18 years of training under various teachers from different traditions in Mexico and Brazil, working deeply with an extensive range of plant medicines such as Ayahuasca, Mushrooms, Peyote, San Pedro, Bufo and more, she has much wisdom to share on a range of topics.
Liesl is now focused on facilitating plant medicine ceremonies, mainly Ayahuasca, as well as the Vision Quest, an initiatory rite of passage in which participants isolate themselves on a mountain for 4 days and nights with no food or water in search of a vision.
Not only a bridge between ancient and modern ways of being, but also between the different generations, Liesl is somewhat of a mother to those searching for healing and seeking to find their way.
IN THIS EPISODE:
- Liesl’s journey on the medicine path
- Thoughts on the current psychedelic psychotherapy movement
- Advice for those curious about working with these medicines
- The importance of giving back to the communities that these medicines come from
- Tobacco as the original medicine
- The Vision Quest
- The necessity of discomfort for healing
- Healing little traumas and the self limiting beliefs that stem from them
- The value of intitatory practices for the next stage in life
- And much more...
You can find Liesl here: http://spiritusvictoria.com
If you think that psilocybin should be rescheduled SIGN THE PETITION
Want to find us and stay up to date? Check out our website or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Psychedelics are a Human Right with Attorney Paul-Michael Keichel
"I think it is one of the most immoral things that has ever happened to western society - that the attempt by people to better themselves has been shunned and criminalized."
- Paul-Michael Keichel,
Paul-Michael Keichel is a force to be reckoned with.
He is an internationally recognized and well respected lawyer at Schindler’s Attorneys.
If you’re looking for someone to thank for the legalisation of marijuana in South Africa, he is your guy. With a vast range of knowledge, a bright intellect and razor-sharp wit, he is exactly the type of person that you want on your side of the court room.
And he is currently spearheading the case to reschedule psilocybin (magic mushrooms) in South Africa.
It is an honour to present to you such an important conversation with the legendary Paul-Michael Keichel.
IN THIS EPISODE:
· The current legal status of psilocybin in South Africa
· How we ended up putting magic mushrooms and crack in the same schedule
· Nate’s journey of healing his depression with psychedelics
· Similarities between the Marijuana and Psilocybin cases
· The argument for the decriminalization of psilocybin
· Paul-Michael’s personal relationship with psychedelics
· PMK’s estimation of when we might see psilocybin legalized
· The Backfire effect: why pushing psychedelics (or anything) on people is counterproductive
· Book recommendations on the topic
· Can children take psychedelics?
· Debugging unhelpful mental code
· The difference between the Shaman and the Psychiatrist
· LOTS MORE…
NOTE: We lost our previous petition data as the host shutdown unexpectedly, so please sign again if you signed before this episode's release.
If you think that psilocybin should be rescheduled SIGN THE PETITION
Want to find us and stay up to date? Check out our website or find us on Facebook and Instagram.
Resources mentioned:
Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind
Brian Muraresku's The Immortality Key
Checkout this awesome article that Paul-Michael wrote on changing South Africa's mind on psychedelics
Soundtrack: Somewhere Really Fun by Dom Benigno, LEEU and MeToo
Mushrooms, Unflinching Trust and Online Ceremonies with Monica Cromhout
On the first ever episode of The Psychedelic Society South Africa Podcast, our host Nate Maingard interviews the 'mushroom grandmother', Monica Cromhout.
Monica has a kind of innocence and a very deep and organic sense of trust in life, and in that way is truly a phenomenal embodiment of the spirit of the mushrooms.
She shares her unbelievable story, from her stumbling into Ayahuasca in a Graham Hancock book to hosting more people for mushroom ceremonies than anyone else in South Africa.
Topics covered include:
- Monica's ongoing experience of spearheading the court case to change the unconstitutional laws around psilocybin mushrooms in South Africa.
- Why she thinks that the psychedelic renaissance is the most important thing happening right now.
- How free falling into your depression is an essential part of your healing.
- The surprisingly successful global online ceremonies that have been taking place since COVID.
- Much more!
A true hero of the modern times, we are so honoured to present you with Monica Cromhout as our first guest. Please sit back, relax and enjoy!
If you want to find us, you can check out www.psychedelicsociety.co.za or find us on facebook and instagram.
If you think that psilocybin should be rescheduled , PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION: http://www.psychedelicsociety.co.za/petitions/
If you want to contact or find out more about Monica and her work, checkout https://somaland.org/monica-cromhout
Intro/outro song: Somewhere Really Fun by Dom Benigno and LEEU, featuring MeToo https://leeu-sa.bandcamp.com/track/somewhere-really-fun-ft-metoo-dom-benigno-and-leeu