The Psychedelic Podcast

Why Psychedelic Therapy Needs to Be Relational - Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, creator of Relational Frame Theory, and one of the most cited psychologists in the world. Full Show Notes: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-363/?ref=278 Hayes reflects on his early experiences in the Summer of Love, why psychedelics were never meant to be treated as a party, and how those formative explorations helped shape his lifelong work on psychological flexibility. Paul and Steven explore what psychedelics can reveal about the nature of self, the role of preparation and context in safe outcomes, and why psychedelic therapy must not be reduced to a patented, "script and go" biomedical model. Their conversation also examines ACT, trauma, attachment, group experience, spiritual community, and the importance of honoring each person's unique path rather than forcing transformation into averages, labels, or protocols. Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D., is a Nevada Foundation Professor of Psychology Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Reno and President of the Institute for Better Health, a 45-year-old charitable organization that promotes quality in mental and behavioral health services. He is the originator of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, creator of Relational Frame Theory, and a co-developer of Process-Based Therapy. Hayes has authored nearly 750 scientific articles and 48 books, including Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life and A Liberated Mind. His methods are distributed worldwide by the World Health Organization and other major scientific agencies, and are commonly used in psychedelic-assisted therapy. His TEDx talks and blogs have been viewed or read by more than five million people, and he is among the most cited psychologists in the world. Highlights: Psychedelics as tools of the mind The Summer of Love's unfinished lessons Self as context and spiritual awareness Why good trips feel like coming home ACT as psychological flexibility Preparation, safety, and lasting change The danger of "script and go" psychedelics Group ceremony and relational healing Particularity, averages, and human uniqueness Psychedelics beyond the therapy frame Episode Links: Steven's Website Steven on Medium Steven Instagram Steven on Linkedin Episode Sponsors: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes."

Psychedelic Preparation: Why Safety Starts in the Body - Dave M. Rabin, M.D., Ph.D.

In this conversation, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Dave Rabin, neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, and co-founder of Apollo Neuroscience, about one of the most important questions in psychedelic work: why do some journeys become overwhelming, destabilizing, or difficult to integrate? Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-362/?ref=278  Dave explains why safety is not just a matter of set, setting, or a strong screening form. It is a physiological state in the nervous system. Together, Paul and Dave explore how fear, trauma, and dysregulation can shape a person's ability to receive and process a psychedelic experience, and why preparation must include a deeper understanding of the body. The conversation also covers pre-session nervous system assessment, vagus nerve activity, HRV, haptic vibration, breathwork, therapeutic touch, consent, and the role of tools like Apollo Neuro in helping clients feel safe enough to surrender, process, and integrate. Dr. David Rabin, MD, PhD, is a neuroscientist, board-certified psychiatrist, health-tech entrepreneur, and inventor who has studied the impact of chronic stress in humans for more than a decade. He is the co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Apollo Neuroscience, and co-founder and executive director of the Board of Medicine, a nonprofit organization establishing evidence-based clinical guidelines for the safe use of unregulated alternative medicines, including plant medicines. His research focuses on non-invasive therapies for treatment-resistant conditions, trauma recovery, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and the neurobiology of belief. Highlights: Why safety is physiological Beyond set and setting How fear interrupts healing Pre-session nervous system assessment MDMA and the safety cascade Haptic vibration and soothing touch HRV as a preparation signal Breathwork for embodied regulation Consent and therapeutic touch Scaling safe psychedelic care Episode Links: Apollo Neuro Dr. Dave Rabin on Instagram Dr. Dave's Book, "A Simple Guide to Being Alive" Episode Sponsors: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - 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. Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization. Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

Be the Work: From Human Doing to Human Being - Stefanie Kleine, Ph.D.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin sits down with Dr. Stefanie Kleine, psychospiritual coach, author of BE THE WORK, and co-founder of The Sacred House of Eden, to explore the hidden wound that often drives achievement and why lasting transformation happens on the level of being rather than doing. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-361/?ref=278  Drawing on more than two decades of experience coaching executives, founders, athletes, physicians, and other high performers, Stefanie shares how her first psychedelic experience revealed the pattern beneath a lifetime of accomplishment and opened a path toward deeper self-acceptance. She explains her framework of grasping versus generative desire, the Be-Do-Have inversion, and why many personal growth and wellness practices can unintentionally reinforce the same striving they aim to heal. The conversation also explores psychedelic integration, Internal Family Systems-informed coaching, conscious leadership, nervous system regulation, AI and human connection, and what it means to move from proving your worth to inhabiting it. Throughout, Stefanie offers a grounded perspective on why ceremony is only the beginning and how true transformation unfolds through the choices we make afterward. Dr. Stefanie Kleine is a psychospiritual coach, guide, and author who has spent more than 23 years coaching executives, founders, attorneys, physicians, athletes, and other high performers. She holds a master's degree and PhD in psychology and is the co-founder of The Sacred House of Eden, one of the leading psychedelic retreat centers in the United States. Since 2018, she has guided more than 1,600 ceremonies and integration processes. Her work centers on what she calls the Be-Do-Have Inversion: the shift from human doing to human being. She is the author of BE THE WORK: The Shift from Human Doing to Human Being and has been featured in Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. Highlights: The wound beneath high achievement Stefanie's first psychedelic awakening Grasping versus generative desire Why transformation happens on the being level The Be-Do-Have inversion Psychedelic integration beyond ceremony Internal Family Systems and coaching Conscious leadership after psychedelic work AI, humanity, and authentic connection Moving from striving to wholeness Episode Links: Dr. Stefanie's website The Sacred House of Eden "BE THE WORK" book Free Guided Meditation by Dr. Stefanie Episode Sponsors: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization. Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

Psilocybin Mushrooms: Strains, Potency, and Experience - Paul F. Austin

In this solo episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin explores one of the most common questions in the psychedelic space: which psilocybin mushroom strain is actually best? Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-360/?ref=278  Moving beyond the search for the "strongest" mushroom, Paul breaks down the factors that truly shape a meaningful experience, including strain selection, potency, preparation methods, storage practices, individual sensitivity, and the critical role of context. Drawing on years of experience through Third Wave and the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, Paul compares popular strains such as Golden Teacher, Penis Envy, Ghost, Enigma, and Psilocybe natalensis. He also explains why preparation methods like lemon tekking matter, how to think about microdosing versus macrodosing, and why integration remains one of the most important variables in long-term outcomes. Paul F. Austin is an entrepreneur, educator, and pioneer in the psychedelic field. He is the founder of Third Wave, a leading platform dedicated to psychedelic education, and the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, which trains coaches and practitioners to responsibly support psychedelic experiences and integration. As the host of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul has interviewed hundreds of leading researchers, clinicians, indigenous wisdom keepers, entrepreneurs, and cultural innovators at the forefront of the psychedelic renaissance. Highlights: Why stronger isn't always better The myth of the strongest strain Golden Teacher vs. Penis Envy Understanding Ghost and Enigma Psilocybe natalensis explained How lemon tek changes the journey Why storage affects potency Microdosing vs. macrodosing Context shapes psychedelic outcomes Integration beyond the peak experience Episode Links: Paul on Instagram The Psychedelic Podcast The Psychedelic Coaching Institute Episode Sponsors: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization. Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.

Choosing the Right Microdose: Psilocybin, LSD, Huachuma & More - Paul F. Austin

In this special solo episode, adapted from a recent live training, Paul F. Austin explores one of the most important and often overlooked realities of microdosing: different substances create different outcomes. Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-359/?ref=278  Drawing on more than a decade of experience in psychedelic education and coaching, Paul compares psilocybin, LSD, huachuma (San Pedro), ketamine, and iboga through the lens of client goals, nervous system regulation, emotional processing, cognitive performance, and contraindications. Paul explains why generic microdosing protocols often fall short, how practitioners can better match substances to individual needs, and why context, preparation, and integration matter far more than any single medicine. He also shares why huachuma has become the foundation of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute's microdosing methodology and offers guidance for practitioners looking to support clients with greater precision and care. Highlights: Why generic microdosing protocols can fall short How psilocybin supports emotional processing and inner work LSD's role in focus, creativity, and physiological performance Why huachuma may be especially useful for nervous system regulation Ketamine's role in SSRI tapering and clinical support Iboga's potential for neurodegenerative conditions and brain injury How to match substances to a client's goals and baseline state Why contraindications and clinical-grade intake matter How microdosing can support post-journey integration Why "more medicine" is not always the answer Episode Links: Paul on Instagram The Psychedelic Podcast The Psychedelic Coaching Institute Episode Sponsors: The Practitioner Certification Program by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute. Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization. Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.