For years, Paula had been curious about Psanctuary – The Sacred Mushroom Church in Louisville, KY. Then, out of the blue, she crossed paths with its founder, Athena Short—and didn’t hesitate to invite her on the show.

After their conversation, Paula shared:
“Using psychedelics is more than a trip. Athena’s expertise fills a gap—she understands the truth about intentional use versus reckless experimentation. Together, we unpacked the power, the pitfalls, and the deep spiritual responsibility that comes with this path.”

Born and raised in Kentucky, Athena has spent the last eight years immersed in the sacred world of mushrooms—cultivating not only fungi but also deep healing, connection, and transformation. Her journey began in 2017, and she served as the first point of contact at the world’s first legal psilocybin retreat center, where she held sacred space for those seeking healing and spiritual growth.

In 2021, she co-founded Psanctuary, a church devoted to helping people explore their divinity through communion with sacred mushrooms. Athena has guided and witnessed hundreds of transformative journeys, and today, her mission is to make this powerful sacrament more approachable—rooted in love, intention, and community.

At Psanctuary, the vision is clear: to create joyful, supportive spaces where people can reconnect with their divinity through sacred mushrooms—and with each other. Athena walks this path with wisdom, warmth, and an open heart, offering guidance to those ready to explore.

Curious about Psanctuary or how to get involved? Reach out to Athena—she’d love to connect!