Best Grof Podcasts (2026)

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How We're Really Using AI, Vol. 2 37:12

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7d ago37:12

37:12

For this episode, we spoke with five people who are engaging with AI in deeply human ways. - One is using AI in the context of dating, helping them think through attraction and communication.- Another has built a wellness app, powered by AI, and is exploring how these kind of systems can support self-inquiry and self-care. - Another works closely w…

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Where Generosity Gathers: The Big Sur Big Share 14:52

23d ago14:52

14:52

In this episode, we spotlight The Big Sur Big Share, a grassroots food program founded by Joseph Bradford and Helen Handshy that has quietly become essential to life in Big Sur. Every Monday, rain or shine, locals gather at the Grange to share farm-fresh produce, pantry staples, garden abundance, and maybe most importantly, time with one another.Wh…

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Stanislav Grof on LSD Psychotherapy: Live Talk at Esalen, 1969 49:04

2M ago49:04

49:04

Stanislav Grof, born in Prague in 1931, was among the most influential figures in the early clinical use of LSD. Sometimes referred to as the Godfather of psychedelic psychotherapy, Grof was was trained as a Freudian psychoanalyst in Prague and was on track to follow in Freud's footsteps when his path was derailed by a powerful LSD session. He chan…

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Publishing at the Edges: A Conversation with Tim McKee of North Atlantic Books 34:32

2M ago34:32

34:32

Since 2016, Tim McKee has been the publisher of North Atlantic Books, a nonprofit press with a 50-year legacy of advancing healing, consciousness, and cultural transformation. North Atlantic Books has long been aligned with a similar spirit that animates Esalen: a commitment to somatics, trauma-informed healing, a willingness to platform voices wor…

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From the Archives: John Lilly and the Quest for Satori (1971) 1:22:08

2M ago1:22:08

1:22:08

Today we revisit a 1971 talk by Dr. John C. Lilly: physician, neuroscientist, tireless psychonaut, and one of the most audacious explorers of consciousness in the twentieth century.John Lilly was a frequent teacher at Esalen and a close friend of Esalen co-founder Dick Price. He begins teaching at Esalen as early as 1968, focusing on what he called…

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Eckhart Tolle at Esalen in June, 2001: The Power of Now 1:12:32

3M ago1:12:32

1:12:32

In June of 2001, the Esalen Institute hosted Eckhart Tolle for a weekend workshop. By that time, Tolle’s book The Power of Now had already begun an improbable ascent, exploding from a totally unknown into something of a cultural phenomenon. The central insight of Eckhart Tolle’s work is that the future doesn’t hold your salvation, and it doesn’t pa…

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How We’re Really Using AI 42:24

4M ago42:24

42:24

What if AI was capable of being more than just a new and improved Google search? What if there was ways to harness its predictive powers for growth, self-realization, or even freedom?Today we'll hear from four thinkers: Larissa Conte, a leadership guide and systems healer with a focus on power, on the principle of mutual co-enactment. Then we hear …

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From Pelvic Floor to Whole Self: A Conversation with Dr. Tia Ukpe-Wallace and Krishna Dholakia 1:09:48

4M ago1:09:48

1:09:48

The pelvis, home to our reproductive, digestive, and eliminatory systems, is responsive to stress, pregnancy, birth, hormones, lifestyle, and trauma. When balanced, it supports vitality and ease. When out of balance, it can profoundly affect quality of life.Joining the conversation are two extraordinary practitioners:Dr. Tia Ukpe-Wallace, an orthop…

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Alan Watts, interviewed by Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy (1966) - Part Two 34:48

4M ago34:48

34:48

Today I’m super excited to present to you another episode from the Archives From this trove of 1/2 inch reel to reel tapes that we recently found mouldering in a storage facility near the Monterey Airport - a 1966 dialogue between Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy and philosopher Alan Watts and today is PART TWO— notable for being one of the only in…

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Alan Watts, interviewed by Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy (1966) - Part One 33:12

5M ago33:12

33:12

Today we present a rare archival conversation between Esalen co-founder Michael Murphy and philosopher Alan Watts, recorded in 1966.Watts, who taught at Esalen from its founding in 1962 until his death in 1973, was among the foremost interpreters of Eastern philosophy for Western audiences. In this wide-ranging dialogue, Watts articulates his theor…

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Songs for the More-Than-Human World: Fletcher Tucker's "Kin" 51:25

5M ago51:25

51:25

Fletcher Tucker - Big Sur artist, Esalen faculty member, independent musician, and wilderness guide - is a kind of spiritual cartographer and wild-hearted philosopher of the sonic and sacred. He has a new album, Kin, which is the focus of this conversation. Kin is a ritual, a spell, a window into the more-than-human world. It is a collection of dro…

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Ken Robins (a.k.a. Dr. Love): A Somatic Journey from Trauma to Transformation 44:04

5M ago44:04

44:04

Ken Robins has been part of the beating heart of Esalen for many decades. A somatic Gestalt practitioner, couples counselor, and devoted early student of Dick Price, Will Schutz, Jessica Britt and many other Esalen legends, Ken has spent his adult life exploring the transformational power of relationship, presence, and the body’s innate wisdom.In t…

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The Survivorship Collective 23:44

5M ago23:44

23:44

In this episode, we speak with Anne Hamilton, founder of the Survivorship Collective: a survivor-led initiative offering legal, psychedelic-assisted therapy to people living with cancer. Anne is an educator, filmmaker and breast cancer survivor whose own journey through illness (and a life-altering psilocybin experience) led her to ask deeper quest…

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Caverly Morgan: The Self, The World, and the Space Between 40:48

6M ago40:48

40:48

In this episode of Voices of Esalen, Sam speaks with spiritual teacher, author, and nonprofit founder Caverly Morgan about the nature of personal ego as well as the collective ego that shapes our culture, relationships, and our sense of separation.Named one of 2025’s powerful women in the mindfulness movement, Caverly brings a rare combination of Z…

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The Esalen Check In: Part 3 33:37

6M ago33:37

33:37

Last year we brought you a real Esalen check-in (episode one). Some months later, a follow up episode dropped. This practice of the check-in is rooted in the Gestalt therapy that evolved at Esalen over the years. It's an authentic cornerstone of the Esalen experience, often described as a catalyst for self-awareness, connection, and personal growth…

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Courage to Connect: Shame-Blocking and Flirtation Skills with Dr. Jacob Towery 54:36

6M ago54:36

54:36

In this lively episode, psychiatrist Dr. Jacob Towery invites us into the heart of his upcoming Esalen workshop on overcoming shyness, releasing shame, and embracing authentic connection. A Stanford-trained psychiatrist, Dr. Towery works with adolescents and adults in private practice. His approach blends evidence-based therapy with playfulness, sk…

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Jacoby Ballard: Queer Dharma and the Path to Liberation 43:44

7M ago43:44

43:44

Jacoby Ballard is a trans yoga teacher, social justice educator, and author of A Queer Dharma: Yoga and Meditations for Liberation. In this episode of Voices of Esalen, Ballard shares reflections on how contemplative and wellness spaces can deeply support queer and trans communities, especially in a time of heightened visibility, vulnerability, and…

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Anaïs Nin: The Sensual Art of Writing 54:56

7M ago54:56

54:56

Anaïs Nin was a literary pioneer who wrote boldly about the inner lives of women long before it was culturally accepted. Her work, including Delta of Venus, Little Birds, The House of Incest, and her 16-volume diary, continues to influence generations of writers.Nin’s life was as unconventional as her prose. She trained in psychoanalysis with Otto …

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Living Authentically: A Non-Binary Dialogue with Sarah/Sawyer Lavelle and Abigail/Bo Barnes 50:56

8M ago50:56

50:56

In this episode of Voices of Esalen, host Sam Stern sits down with two members of the Esalen community, Sarah Lavelle (also known as Sawyer) and Abigail Barnes (also known as Bo), for a heartfelt conversation about non-binary identity, self-expression, and the journey of living beyond the binary.Topics include personal stories, pronouns, the evolvi…

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Hallucinate the Future: Ari Kuschnir on AI Filmmaking, Time Travel, and Viral Transmutations 46:40

8M ago46:40

46:40

Ari Kuschnir is a filmmaker, creative strategist, and the founder of the production company m ss ng p eces. His work is driven by themes of empathy, consciousness, and transformation.In this episode, Ari joins Sam for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of storytelling, particularly in the arena of AI filmmaking. They explore the ethical and …

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Decolonizing Femininity: Reclaiming the Divine Mother with Dr. Elizabeth Philipose 30:56

8M ago30:56

30:56

We sit down with Dr. Elizabeth Philipose to trace the roots of modern patriarchy back to the “1492 paradigm” of Euro-colonialism and its enduring assault on femininity, the body, and the earth. Elizabeth unpacks how ideas of weakness, passivity, and scarcity were written into our social, political, and economic institutions, and how those same syst…

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You Were Never Just One Thing: Ramzi Fawaz and the Queer Potential of Now 48:04

9M ago48:04

48:04

Ramzi Fawaz is an award-winning queer cultural critic, public speaker, and educator. He is the author of two books, including "The New Mutants: Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics" (2016), and "Queer Forms." (2022). In 2019-2020, Fawaz was a Stanford Humanities Center fellow. He is currently a Romnes Professor of English at t…

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Ida Rolf in Her Own Words: Lecture & Demo at Esalen (1967 Recording) 1:20:40

9M ago1:20:40

1:20:40

Today, we're opening the vaults to share a rare and remarkable recording from Esalen’s rich historical archive: a 1967 lecture and live demonstration by none other than Dr. Ida Rolf, the pioneering founder of Structural Integration—more commonly known today as Rolfing.But what is Rolfing? Often described as intense (and sometimes even painful), Rol…

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Esselen Tribe of Monterey County in Dialogue with Esalen Institute (Encore Presentation) 58:08

9M ago58:08

58:08

Today we’re sharing a conversation that took place in October 2022, between members of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County and the Esalen Institute.Representing the Esselen tribe are Jana Nason and Stephen Vicente Arevalo. Jana Nason is an Esselen and Rumsen descendant, and an enrolled tribal member of the ETMC. She is the nonprofit secretary, and…

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Cosmic Frequencies: Doug McKechnie's Avant-Garde Moog Performance at Esalen (late 1960s) 58:42

10M ago58:42

58:42

Once again, we’re diving deep into the Esalen archives to share a fascinating historical recording - this one featuring electronic music pioneer Doug McKechnie.In the late 1960s and early '70s, Doug McKechnie was at the cutting edge of musical innovation, harnessing the revolutionary Moog synthesizer to create mesmerizing sounds. McKechnie was a co…

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Roots of Esalen: Richard Horan on Esalen's Garden Origins, Jade Carving, Psychedelics, and the Legendary Art Barn 25:52

10M ago25:52

25:52

Richard Horan first arrived at Esalen in the mid 1960s, traveling from Los Angeles to Big Sur at the height of a cultural renaissance. He was an early member of the Esalen massage crew and played a pivotal role in founding the Esalen Garden, a space that continues to nourish the land and community today. He was also deeply involved in the psychedel…

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The Esalen Check In: Part 2 29:52

10M ago29:52

29:52

A few months ago we brought you a real Esalen check-in (episode one). This practice, rooted in the Gestalt therapy that evolved at Esalen over the years is an authentic cornerstone of the Esalen experience. It's often described as a catalyst for self-awareness, connection, and personal growth. Today's episode is a continuation - Episode 2. Our chec…

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Frederic Spiegelberg's 1968 Talk at Esalen: "India and the Saints" 1:02:54

11M ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Today we're opening up the vault to share an extraordinary archival recording from one of the most influential figures in Esalen's history, Frederic Spiegelberg — and while that name might not be as immediately recognizable as some of the luminaries who graced Esalen's grounds, like Joseph Campbell, Alan Watts, or Gabrielle Roth, understanding Fred…

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Music From the Big Sur Mountains (Archival recording, late 1960s/early 70s) 57:52

11M ago57:52

57:52

For the past several years, I’ve been lucky enough to work closely with the famed and slightly disorganized Esalen archives, diving deep into the history of this extraordinary place. I’ve fashioned several multimedia talks out of the material that I’ve uncovered, one on the history of altered states at Esalen, another on the 1970s and 80s. And rece…

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Shannon Algeo: Smartphone Addiction, Digital Detox, and Healing the Self 59:56

12M ago59:56

59:56

Shannon Algeo is a psychotherapist, author, and teacher. He is also a Soul Coach, Yoga Nidra teacher, and the founder of Soulumination Meditation. Shannon works with clients to heal patterns of trauma so they can show up in the world with presence, purpose, and peace. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, ABC news, and Yoga Journal. Shannon …

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Resilience in the Storm: Deborah Eden Tull on Loss, Community, and Renewal 44:32

1y ago44:32

44:32

Deborah Eden Tull is a leading Buddhist and EcoDharma teacher whose wisdom has touched countless lives. Recently, Eden and her husband, Mark, faced a life-altering tragedy when Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, destroying their home as well as all their belongings, and very nearly claiming their lives. Eden has long been a powe…

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Redefining Inclusion: Dr. Victor Pineda on Disability Rights, Global Accessibility, AI, and Love 26:04

1y ago26:04

26:04

Dr. Victor Santiago Pineda is a globally recognized scholar, disability rights advocate, social impact entrepreneur, and international consultant on accessibility and inclusion. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Dr. Pineda was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy as a child, a challenge that inspired his lifelong commitment to advancing the rights…

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Josef London, Esalen's Superego, Reflects on Conflict, Loss, and 33 Years of Beloved Service 38:24

1y ago38:24

38:24

Josef London has been a cornerstone of the Esalen community for more than 30 years. In our conversation Josef shares about the leap of faith that brought him to Esalen from Rio de Janeiro in search of healing, transformation, and a place to call home. Today, guests know him from the Gate; he is one of the first people they meet upon arriving at Esa…

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Awakening Wisdom: Chandra Easton on Ego, Suffering, and Feeding Your Demons 57:36

1y ago57:36

57:36

Chandra Easton is a senior Dharma teacher, author, and translator of Tibetan Buddhist texts. She is well renowned for her efforts to elevate the empowered feminine in Buddhism. Chandra has a deep lineage of study under the guidance of prominent Tibetan and Western Buddhist teachers, beginning her journey in Buddhist practice at the age of four. She…

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Peace is Possible: John Marks on a Lifetime of Building Common Ground 45:52

1y ago45:52

45:52

John Marks is the founder of Search for Common Ground, an international NGO whose purpose is to end violent conflict around the world. In 2018, Search was nominated for a Nobel Peace prize. Over the years some of their notable work has included helping to avert genocide in Burundi, supporting free elections in Liberia and Sierra Leone, and creating…

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Jack Kornfield's 1983 Talk at Esalen: My Dharma Journey 1:14:40

1y ago1:14:40

1:14:40

This episode captures Jack Kornfield's lecture/ Dharma talk at Esalen on September 15th, 1983. Kornfield, one of the most articulate and compassionate voices in modern Western Buddhism, is co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, and Spirit Rock Center in Woodacre, California. He trained as a Buddhist monk in Thailand, …

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Justin Michael Williams: Fear and Faith 59:44

1y ago59:44

59:44

Justin Michael Williams is an author, speaker and musician who works at the intersection of social justice, mindfulness, and personal growth. Justin has become a pioneering voice of color for the new healing movement. His mission is to make sure that all people, of all backgrounds, have access to the information they need to change their lives. Tog…

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Suzanne Simard: Finding the Mother Tree 45:20

1y ago45:20

45:20

Suzanne Simard is a Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia as well as the author of the excellent new memoir, “Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest.” Suzanne is a pioneer on the frontier of plant communication and intelligence; she’s been hailed as a scientist who conveys complex, technical ideas …

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Akuyoe Graham: Spirit Awakening 48:24

1y ago48:24

48:24

Akuyoe Graham is founder of the Spirit Awakening Foundation, an arts based non-profit dedicated to helping underserved youth in the juvenile justice system. Since 1995, SA has been a pioneer in developing restorative, trauma-informed prevention and intervention programs to incarcerated and systems-involved young people in Los Angeles County. Using …

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Q and A with Sam 1:04:12

1y ago1:04:12

1:04:12

A glimpse under the hood at Voices of Esalen. Host Sam Stern interviews himself, entertaining questions such as How and why did you start Voices of Esalen - What was the first episode of the show and what was it about ? - Were the first episodes popular ? How many people listened to them? - What are your favorite podcasts and who are your favorite …

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Reverend Erika Allison: Gay the Pray Away - Healing from LGBT Conversion Therapy 56:40

1y ago56:40

56:40

Reverend Erika Allison is a queer interfaith minister and the author of the memoir "Gay the Pray Away: Healing your Life, Love, and Relationships from the Harms of LBGT Conversion Therapy." We spoke about her personal journey of healing after being sent to conversion therapy as a teenager in Texas, the coping strategies she developed after experien…

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Shayla Love: The High-Stakes Game of Psychedelic Capitalism 37:44

1y ago37:44

37:44

“All of these sort of regular things that biotech companies do, like snapping up patents so that they can get investor dollars moving forward, they’re intersecting with this culture in the psychedelics world, which is sort of anti-ownership. These forces will clash. They oppose with one another.” - Shayla Love, Vice Media Shayla Love is a senior st…

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Laura Mae Northrup: Radical Healership 44:16

1y ago44:16

44:16

Laura Mae Northrup is a somatic psychotherapist, educator, podcaster, and author. Laura has been a guest on this show before, in 2020, when we discussed her podcast "Inside Eyes", a one-season tour de force that focuses on people using entheogens and psychedelics to heal from sexual trauma. She is now the author of a new book, "Radical Healership: …

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Brian Pace & Neşe Devenot: Right-Wing Psychedelia, or, Lucy in the Sky With Nazis 52:13

1y ago52:13

52:13

Dr. Brian Pace is a lecturer who teaches Psychedelic Studies at The Ohio State University. He is trained as an evolutionary ecologist, specializing in phytochemistry, ethnobotany, and ecophysiology. He believes in grassroots drug decriminalization efforts and hopes to find alternative policies to the imperial drug war. For more than a decade, Brian…

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Deborah Egerton on Using the Enneagram for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism 58:00

1y ago58:00

58:00

Dr. Deborah Egerton is a psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, author, coach, and spiritual teacher. She brings a focus of inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism to her enneagram work and uses that focus to help individuals and organizations release false historical narratives and open their minds and hearts to a more compassionate and connect…

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Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman: Hatred Never Ceases by Hatred 1:06:00

1y ago1:06:00

1:06:00

Welcome to a Voices of Esalen archive edition. Our featured lecture was delivered at Esalen as a part of a weeklong training in 2018, by wise teachers Jack Kornfield and Trudy Goodman. Jack Kornfield is one of the key teachers to introduce Buddhist mindfulness practice to the West. He trained as a Buddhist monk in the monasteries of Thailand, India…

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Encore Presentation: Akuyoe Graham on Spirit Awakening Foundation and Esalen 1:10:24

1y ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Akuyoe Graham is founder of the Spirit Awakening Foundation, an arts based non-profit dedicated to helping underserved youth in the juvenile justice system. Since its inception in 1995, SAF has been a pioneer in developing and offering restorative, trauma-informed, prevention and intervention programs to underserved, incarcerated and systems-involv…

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Esselen Tribe of Monterey County in Dialogue with Esalen Institute 58:04

1y ago58:04

58:04

Today we’re sharing a conversation that took place in October, 2022, between members of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County and the Esalen Institute. Representing the Esselen tribe are Jana Nason and Stephen Vicente Arevalo. Jana Nason is an Esselen and Rumsen descendant, and an enrolled tribal member of the ETMC. She is the nonprofit secretary, a…

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Encore Presentation: Michael Pollan at Esalen Psychedelic Integration Conference, 2019 1:03:08

1y ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Today our episode is an encore presentation of Michael Pollan’s keynote presentation at the 2019 Psychedelic Integration Conference at the Esalen Institute. Pollan is the author of six New York Times bestsellers, including 2018’s “How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depress…

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Mirrored Fatality: Non-Binary Kapampangan-Pilipinx and Pakistani-Muslim Duo on Healing Noise Punk 1:11:52

1y ago1:11:52

1:11:52

✧༺mirrored fatality is the nonbinary Kapampangan-Pilipinx and Pakistani-Muslim performance art duo of Mango and Samar, artists in residence at Esalen during the summer of 2021. Together we discuss the difference between non-binary and trans, how they share their rituals, altars, and medicine through DIT (Do It Together) experimental and healing noi…