Curious to Serious

Episode 31: Gina Gratza - Marriage and Family Therapy | Oregon Psilocybin Facilitator | Psychedelic Integration and Coaching

In this episode, I talk with Gina Gratza, who specializes in psychedelic-assisted facilitation.In our conversation, Gina tells us about the many different organizations she is involved in and the work she does with them, including psychedelic integration and coaching, being an Oregon Psilocybin Facilitator, working with the Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy Lab, and serving as Program Coordinator and Lead Educator at InnerTrek.Gina also highlights many of the influential experiences and trainings that inform the work she does from an internship at a treatment center for eating disorders to trainings in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), sensory psychotherapy, and Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT).Gina also shares how she came to psychedelics after attending Burning Man and having an enlightening experience. This leads our conversation to recognize the infinite paths one can take to finding their place in the psychedelic field as well as exploring consciousness. We also touch on the importance of recognizing our shadow selves and the shadow side of psychedelics.Finally, Gina reflects on the future of psychedelics and her hope for the Oregon Psilocybin Facilitation program to inform future programs in other states and the vision for psychedelics to promote deeper community healing.Time Stamps:(4:21) Gina’s involvement in various organizations within the psychedelic field(7:51) The importance of working with women and creating community spaces for identity expression in psychedelic integration and support(25:14) How psychedelics play a role in Gina’s work: doing your own work with psychedelics and consciousness and logistics of having two businesses while being a licensed therapist(46:27) Internships and trainings that influence Gina’s work(57:27) Advice on how to find trainings and grow your skillset(1:08:40) How Gina became curious about psychedelics: Burning Man, integrating into the underground nightlife in Los Angeles, and recognizing the different ways to engage in plan medicines and psychedelics(1:19:04) The shadow side of psychedelics: navigating psychedelic hype, managing expectations, the variety of modalities for healing trauma and exploring consciousness(1:41:12) Future of the psychedelic field and Gina’s work(1:49:47) Gina’s last piece of advice: remember to playLinks:Social Neuroscience and Psychotherapy LabCora CenterChariotInnerTrekOregon’s Legal Psilocybin Website: Trainings:EMDRSensory psychotherapySomatic experiencingIFSGrief workConnect with Gina:Website: www.ginagratza.comLinkedInInstagram: @gina.gratzaTo learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygradMusic by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

Episode 30: Jonathan Robinson - Marriage and Family Therapy | MDMA Facilitation | Ecstasy as Medicine

In this episode, I talk with Jonathan Robinson, the author of 14 books and a marriage and family therapist located in California.In our conversation, Jonathan tells us about his work in bringing together MDMA experiences and therapy. He discusses how his protocol is unique to other work being done with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy by emphasizing therapeutic modalities.We also talk about Jonathan’s online course on MDMA facilitation and how he created it for anyone passionate about helping others heal. Additionally, we talk about Jonathan’s newest book, Ecstasy as Medicine, a valuable resource filled with 40 years of knowledge and experience to aid others in healing and self-discovery.We cover Jonathan’s journey to finding meditation and psychedelics in pursuit of healing his trauma from growing up in a dysfunctional family and his masters thesis research on MDMA therapy in the 1980s.Throughout our conversation, we highlight valuable advice from Jonathan, like 5 second methods for gratitude and happiness and finding supportive communities to help ourselves strengthen our weaknesses.Finally, Jonathan reflects on the future of psychedelics and how he plans to continue to provide accessible knowledge and education to those interested in helping others.Time Stamps:(4:44) Jonathan’s work as a marriage and family therapist and how he integrates MDMA into his practice and how he keeps his work legal(8:46) The value of doing MDMA therapy over zoom and how to manage safety and challenging experiences in a virtual therapy session(17:51) What makes Jonathan’s protocol of MDMA therapy different from the MAPS protocol(24:04) Jonathan’s online MDMA facilitation course - what is it and who is it for?(32:21) Perspectives on therapists and sitters having experience with psychedelics when working with patients or clients(34:58) Jonathan’s newest book - Ecstasy as Medicine(44:10) The beauty of Jonathan’s parents trying MDMA(47:04) How Jonathan found psychedelics - healing trauma from a dysfunctional family to studying psychology at the University of California Santa Barbara(51:23) A 5 second method for gratitude(59:02) Jonathan’s master's thesis on MDMA therapy (1:00:18) Additional education and the value of experiential learning - undergraduate degree in Psychology and a non-accredited PhD in recreational pharmacology(1:03:30) Advice on finding a balance between experiential knowledge and formal education - finding supportive communities to strengthen your weaknesses(1:09:05) The future of psychedelics and Jonathan’s desire to continue educating others(1:16:55) Jonathan’s last advice - keep exploringLinks:Healing with MDMA Course: https://dandelion.events/e/mdmacourseBook Ecstasy as Medicine: https://ecstasyasmedicine.com/Website: XTCasmedicine.comPodcast - Awareness Explorers: https://www.awarenessexplorers.com/Website: https://findinghappiness.com/To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygradMusic by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

Episode 29: Christi Meyers - Ketamine Infusion Therapy | Emergency Medicine | Self-Awareness | Flow Integrative

In this episode, I talk with Christi Meyers, the Founder and CEO of Flow Integrative, a ketamine infusion clinic in San Diego, California.In our conversation, Christi tells us about Flow Integrative as a form of practicing medicine that provides ketamine infusion therapy, as well as Flow Institute as an educational platform. She discusses the characteristics that make Flow Integrative unique, including its holistic wellness model in bringing together the mind, body, and spirit.We also talk about how Christi’s diverse background in fire jumping, emergency medicine, and teaching led her down a path to learning about ketamine as a tool to “help the help,” which birthed the idea of Flow Integrative.Throughout our conversation, we highlight valuable advice from Christi, like the importance of sitting with ketamine for those interested in providing it to patients. Finally, Christi reflects on the future of psychedelics and her hope for the continued evolution of ourselves so we can better serve the greater good of humanity.Time Stamps:(5:45) What is Flow Integrative and how it is shifting the practice of healthcare by connection the mind, body and spirit with oneness(9:13) The importance of IV ketamine infusions as a modality of administration(14:06) What is it like to be a patient of Flow Integrative? - meeting patients where they are at so they can heal themselves(22:25) Ketamine regulation and insurance in California and employee-driven benefits through Dr. Bronners(30:46) The set and setting of ketamine therapy at Flow Integrative(34:56) Christi’s journey in fire jumping, emergency medicine, and teaching that led her to ketamine as therapy(50:20) Working with other plant medicines in therapy and the ability for them to deprogram and evolve human consciousness(59:05) Tapping into yourself to find your path and purpose through medication, fasting, and sitting with the medicine(1:5:07) The future of the psychedelic field - continuously evolve, find your tribe, and “If it doesn’t resonate with you, you don’t have to stay there to find your people" (1:28:53) Additional insights for listeners - Flow Integrative is working on opportunities for volunteering and internships for those interested in working with the medicine(1:31:22) Contact informationLinks:Flow Integrative: https://flowintegrativeketamine.com/Flow Integrative for Physicians: https://flowintegrative.org/our-teamDirect Line to Flow Integrative: 909-735-FLOW (3569)Forces of Habit: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674010031To learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygradMusic by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/Presented by Psychedelic Grad.

Episode 28: Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie - Plant Medicine | Integration | Community | Metaphysical Humanistic Science and Indigenous Science

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie.Dr. Howard Lipp and Ena Vie have been working as underground facilitators of plant medicine for several years. In our conversation, they speak about how they were called to plant medicine and found each other through music.We also talk about opening up about facilitating plant medicine ceremonies and the challenge and importance of it.Ena shares her experiences from studying Indigenous Science at Naropa University and how walking the Red Road shapes her plant medicine work now. Dr. Howard Lipp discusses the value of exploring his experiences in facilitation during his PhD program in Metaphysical Humanistic Science.We also cover topics of integration, community, and the sentient role of plants. Finally, Howard and Ena reflect on their future in the psychedelic field as continuing to provide integrative support for others.Time Stamps:(04:11) How Howard was called to plant medicine, found his way to Ena through music, and introduced Ena to plant medicine(06:18) How Ena’s experience with walking the Red Road and plant medicine provided her an opportunity for rebirth and a sense of peace after leaving the structured framework of religion(20:01) The essential role of integration in bringing the Devine moments of psychedelic experiences into everyday life(35:21) Coming out about underground ceremonial facilitation - why now and why is it important to Howard and Ena(46:06) Howard and Ena’s website, book, and podcast(49:55) Community and the need for connection as a basis for integration(01:02:03) The sentient nature of plants to teach us(01:16:15) Ena’s education at Naropa University, earning a Master’s Degree in Indigenous Science, and learning from indigenous elders in France while walking the Red Road(01:21:03) Howard’s PhD in Metaphysical Humanistic Science - how this unique program allowed him to integrate his experiences with plant medicine facilitation with academic inquiry(01:28:57) Howard and Ena’s future in continuing ongoing integrative support for other facilitators and participants in the psychedelic field(01:35:39) Where to find Howard and Ena’s music(01:37:18) Last piece of advice - breath through the experience and recognize how each experience is a square of a mosaic that informs every other experience Links:Website: https://enaandhoward.com/Contact Form: https://enaandhoward.com/contact/Music links: https://enaandhoward.com/music/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnaandHowardFacebook: facebook.com/enaandhowardInstagram: instagram.com/enaandhowardTo learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygradMusic by: ht

Episode 27: Mariya Punay - Board of Behavioral Sciences Licensure | Bridging Associative Marriage and Family Therapy and Transpersonal Psychology | Sofia University

In this episode, I talk with Mariya Punay.Mariya is working towards becoming a licensed psychotherapist in California. In our conversation, Mariya speaks to the meticulous process of working on becoming licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) and the many challenges she's faced throughout the process.She also speaks to the essential need for BIPOC representation in mainstream therapy and mental health treatment to create more accessible treatments for everyone.Mariya shares how psychedelics found her and guided her to do therapeutic work. We talk about what transpersonal psychology is, how she landed at Sofia University studying for her PhD and how she brings together the mind, body, and spirit in her practice of Associative Marriage and Family Therapy (AMFT).Finally, Mariya reflects on what her future of practicing Transpersonal therapy looks while serving her community and provides some much-needed advice on loving ourselves and others and reconnecting with nature.Time Stamps:(05:31) Valuable organizations to Mariya’s experience - Process Therapy Institute, her company One Brilliance(07:44) An overview of becoming licensed through the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to practice psychotherapy legally in California (25:10) The essential need for BIPOC representation in the therapy community and how her identity coming from a military family and animistic cultural background influences her therapeutic practices(46:58) How psychedelics found Mariya and guided her from studying geography to psychotherapy and pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology (concentration in AMFT) and then a Ph.D. in Transpersonal Psychology at Sofia University(1:07:08) What is Transpersonal Psychology and how Mariya sees it coming together with counseling and therapy(1:24:57) Mariya’s future in psychedelic therapy - serving her God children and her community(1:31:43) Mariya’s final advice - “you have to keep it going, keep it flowing”Links:Crown and Chakra Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/613FdzlTX7ytd8Rl4M2mSO?si=3f8f8b2bee674ed0Sofia University PhD Transpersonal Psychology: https://www.sofia.edu/courses/phd-in-transpersonal-psychology/Website and Socials: https://linktr.ee/themariyakatrinabeingInsight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/mariyakatrinaEmail: MariyaKatrinaPunay@gmail.comTo learn more about Psychedelic Grad or to join our newsletter, go to https://www.psychedelicgrad.com/To donate and support Psychedelic Grad: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/psygradMusic by: https://www.alexkahnmusic.com/Presented by Psychedelic Grad.