Podcasts about synergetic press

Minni Jain and Philip Franses are co-founders of The Flow Partnership, and they are co-authors of the new book, The Language of Water: Ancient Techniques and Community Stories for a Water Secure Future. In this podcast they explore the process of helping communities around the world to restore streams and rivers, prevent flooding, and recover local water wisdom. For decades they have been working to help communities regenerate their landscapes, using traditional methods that can be implemented and maintained by the communities themselves. The book, recently published by by Synergetic Press, tells the stories of people around the world whose land and ways of life have been upended by colonialism and industrialization––and the processes by which they reclaim not only land health but also their own sense of agency, meaning, and story-telling about their place.

The second ​episode of a two ​part series, with Justice Rivera and Paula Graciela Kahn of Body Autonomy: Decolonizing Sex Work and Drug Use! In this conversation, Justice, who compiled the essays and stories that make up the book, and contributor Paula Graciela Kahn, go deep into topics such as substance use, colonization, bodily sovereignty, rites of passage, sex worker centered harm reduction, collectivity, and the importance of education to help shift paradigms. Body Autonomy is coming out May 14, 2024 - you can preorder it from Synergetic Press here: https://synergeticpress.com/catalog/body-autonomy-decolonizing-sex-work-drug-use/ Justice Rivera (she/they; ella/elle) is a writer, social justice consultant, harm reductionist, and pleasure activist based in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Justice's professional and artistic work is grounded in principles of harm reduction, anti-oppression, and healing justice. Her expressions seek to deconstruct carceral and punishment-driven paradigms to race, gender, and bodily autonomy. Justice has worked to provide direct services, organizing leadership, and capacity building support to people in the sex trade, survivors of trafficking, and people who use drugs in Denver, Washington DC, Seattle, and nationally. She is now a Partner with Reframe Health and Justice Consulting. She is collectrix and co-author of Body Autonomy: Decolonizing Sex Work and Drug Use. When she isn't working, Justice loves to travel, cook, volunteer, and play with her cat, friends, and family. Paula Graciela Kahn (she/they) is a first-generation Mayan-Iberian-Ashkenazi Jewish community-based researcher, policy advocate, movement strategist, edu-tainer, facilitator, herbalist and healing arts practitioner. Paula's research investigates the roles ofpsychoactive substances in pluri-cultural contexts for processes of historical memory, accountability, reparations,reconciliation, transitional and transformative justice, demilitarization, disarmament and reintegration. Links: Pre-order Bodily Autonomy Justice's websiteIG @‌justicerivera_writestwitter @‌justice_writes Paula's websiteIG @‌plurproductions

I've been lucky in recent months to be able to speak to people who've been leaders and change makers in the regenerative space for a significant amount of time. Building on that knowledge and experience I got to speak with Dr Mark Nelson.    Mark is Chairman of the Institute of Ecotechnics, head of Wastewater Gardens International and has worked for several decades in closed ecological system research, bioregenerative space life support, ecological engineering, restoration of damaged ecosystems, desert agriculture and wastewater recycling. Notably, Dr. Nelson was a member of the eight person “biospherian” crew for the first two year Biosphere 2 closure experiment, 1991-1993.    The project included pioneering regenerative agriculture and waste and water recycling. Even before that, in the 1970s, he planted an organic fruit orchard at Synergia Ranch, Santa Fe NM and has helped manage its organic fruit and vegetable farm for decades.    As Associate Editor of Life Sciences in Space Research, he is also an author and contributor for numerous books including “Pushing Our Limits: Insights from Biosphere 2”, “The Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time” (2014), and “Life Under Glass: Crucial Lessons in Planetary Stewardship” (2020) by Mark and two fellow biospherians.    I first planned out this interview withMark to focus on his work with wastewater management and gardening, but I quickly realized that it was only a small part of the work and experience in his expertise.    As a result, we cover a lot of ground in this session ranging from the work and development on the Biosphere 2 installation and what it was like being part of the research team who lived there for two years.    Mark talks about his work and learnings from decades of international ecological projects including those focused on wastewater management and how all these diverse places and contexts continue to inform the Ecotechnics initiatives.  We also get around to focusing on his book “The Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time” published by Synergetic Press. There we dissect the key considerations for safe harvesting and reuse of wastewater and the potential uses of it in gardens and beyond. Making use of wastewater is becoming more and more essential as the energy intensive and expensive methods of purification are quickly becoming unfeasible. Though people are becoming aware of this necessity and its potential it's still going to require a lot more visibility to be adopted at the scale that is needed, so I hope that episodes like this will act as a catalyst to get more listeners like yourselves to consider how using waste water might fit into your own projects.

In this episode – with the 2024 edition of Vital announced and officially on sale – we're launching another series of Vital Psychedelic Conversations, with David hosting Jasmine Virdi: Vital instructor, writer, educator, and activist who works at Synergetic Press and volunteers for Fireside Project; and Tabata Gerk: Vital student, psychotherapist, and facilitator. As always, they discuss what they think the most vital conversation should be right now, largely expressing concerns over the medicalization of psychedelics and the idea of a ‘traumadelic culture,' where psychedelics are often only seen as healers of trauma and not doorways to mysticism and new ideas. And they point out another concern: the romanization of Indigenous culture and not recognizing that these are contemporary cultures that are affected by the same Western, capitalist paradigms that affect us all. They also discuss the concept of epistemic injustice and needing to respect other ways of knowing; hyper-individualism and why we became so reductionist as a society; the role of money (who defines the problem and the solution?); concerns over who decides who is allowed to use these substances; the power of small steps of change; and, through talking about Gerk's recent Amazonian ayahuasca experience, they dig into what it is about these experiences and surrounding communities that make them so special. Could we take some of that and effectively incorporate it into our Western models? Click here to head to the show notes page. 

In this episode of Sense-Making in a Changing World I am delighted to be speaking with Erik Ohlsen - a well-known, successful and much-loved Sonoma-based ecological designer, permaculture practitioner, educator, author, regenerative entrepreneur who runs multiple companies deeply grounded in a love of nature and based on permaculture ethics and principles. Eric is one of those wonderful people who gets stuff done!!!In this conversation I ask him about how he has grown his wildly successful Permaculture Artisans company that is regenerating landscapes from urban to rural, and even as we spoke in the process of informing the design of a permaculture agrihood. It's a wonderfully inspiring, uplifting and wide ranging conversation - spanning from with his early volunteering projects giving away gardens while cultivating huge social capital and skill development, to his current work, a his legacy book as he calls it, about to be released by Synergetic Press - the MASSIVE 550 page guide  - The Regenerative Landscaper: Design and Build Landscapes that Repair the Environment.This is going to become the go to manual and curriculum for permaculture learners who want to put into practice all they are learning in permaculture courses - it gets right into the nitty gritty and shows how to make it work!Towards the end, I ask Erik about his process of writing and feel entirely liberated in how I can now set about writing too. Executive Director: Permaculture Skills Center Owner/Principal: Permaculture Artisans Youtube Chanel: PermacultureArtisansSupport the showThis podcast is an initiative of the Permaculture Education Institute.Our way of sharing our love for this planet and for life, is by teaching permaculture teachers who are locally adapting this around the world - finding ways to apply the planet care ethics of earth care, people care and fair share. We host global conversations and learning communities on 6 continents. We teach permaculture teachers, host permaculture courses, host Our Permaculture Life YouTube, and offer free monthly film club and masterclass. We broadcast from a solar powered studio in the midst of a permaculture ecovillage food forest on beautiful Gubbi Gubbi country. I acknowledge this is and always will be Aboriginal land, pay my respects to elders past and present, and extend my respect to indigenous cultures and knowledge systems across the planet. You can also watch Sense-Making in a Changing World on youtube.SUBSCRIBE for notification of each new episode. Please leave us a 5 star REVIEW - it really it does help the bots find and myceliate this show.

In this episode, Joe interviews Deborah Parrish Snyder: ecologist, Director and VP of the Institute of Ecotechnics, and Co-owner and CEO of Synergetic Press, which has published over 40 books on ethnobotany, psychedelics, biospherics, and social and ecological justice.  Straddling the line between ecology, psychedelics, and psyche, she discusses the many projects of the Institute: Biosphere 2, the large-scale closed ecological system she helped design in 1986; London's "October Gallery," a man-made city biome project that could be a model for other cities; their "Eden in Iraq" wastewater project; and the Heraclitus, an 82-foot ship which has sailed 270k miles around the earth, studying different cultures, mapping coral reefs, and more, and will soon be setting sail again after being rebuilt for the last decade.   She talks about where we're at as a society in regards to the environment: how we're in a period of consequences and it's easy to feel hopeless, but much of the youth are "solutionists" who don't want to hear apologies, and instead, want to do something about it. She believes that while schools don't teach ecology, it's never too late to learn, and non-ordinary states of consciousness could help people remember our connection to nature, care about our planet, and find the others who feel the same way. Consider pairing your self-exploration with improving the world around you: what can you do to turn your perfect, overly fertilized lawn into a regenerative landscape instead? www.psychedelicstoday.com

Synergetic Press: a diverse and eclectic catalog of books that cover topics such as ecology, sustainability, indigenous cultures, visionary art, and more. Use discount code tao20 at checkout for a 20% discount that also supports the podcast. Here are some of Vandana's books on Synergetic Press Agroecology and Regenerative Ecology Philanthro-Capitalism Reclaiming the Commons We are so excited to have Dr. Vandana Shiva on the podcast this week. Dr. Vandana Shiva is an author, physicist, ecologist, and advocate of biodiversity conservation and farmer's rights. Her pioneering work around food sovereignty, traditional agriculture, and women's rights created fundamental cultural shifts in how the world views these issues. She is at the forefront of the regenerative movement, devoting her life to creating positive change in the world. In this episode we'll dive in deeper into Vandana's journey into the regenerative movement and the guiding philosophies that have brought her to this point. We also dive into the potential of those in the movement right now, the unlimited potential we all have, just like a seed. Episode 113: Show Notes - You can find all the Show Notes and more information on Vandana's work in the blog post. Guest Bio: Dr. Vandana Shiva Vandana Shiva is an Indian scholar, environmental activist, food sovereignty advocate, ecofeminist and anti-globalisation author. Based in Delhi, Shiva has written more than 20 books. She is often referred to as "Gandhi of grain" for her activism associated with the anti-GMO movement. Vandana is one of the leaders and board members of the International Forum on Globalization (with Jerry Mander, Ralph Nader, and Helena Norberg-Hodge), and a figure of the anti-globalisation movement. She has argued in favour of many traditional practices, as in her interview in the book Vedic Ecology (by Ranchor Prime). She is a member of the scientific committee of the Fundacion IDEAS, Spain's Socialist Party's think tank. She is also a member of the International Organization for a Participatory Society. Host Bio: Emily Prieto LinkedIn Profile Emily is an explorer for the new creative solarpunk world and catalyst for regenerative economies and permanent cultures (permacultures). As the co-founder of Seeds of Tao she helps create experiences and opportunities for entrepreneurs to build strong regenerative enterprises. She is an artist, creative designer, and brand strategist who has worked with small and large businesses to create content that shares the brand identity through a compelling message and story. Using her creative design talent, Emily has also become a permaculture land designer, helping to design both commercial and residential lands for long-term regenerative change. She fluently speaks Spanish and English, adores Latin-American culture and chooses to build community and regenerative stewardship in the rainforests of Central America alongside her husband and four children.

Resource Commons and Community Forum: an open community, packed with free resources, of regenerative entrepreneurs creating change through the business they start, build, and grow. Synergetic Press: a diverse and eclectic catalog of books that cover topics such as ecology, sustainability, indigenous cultures, visionary art, and more. Use discount code tao20 at checkout for a 20% discount that also supports the podcast. This week's podcast guest is Mark Nelson, a long-time regenpreneur highly knowledgeable about the importance of the interconnectedness between us and the Earth, as well as between us and our community. He is also one of the creators and participants of Biosphere 2, where he lived for two years. We're talking about taking on challenges, accepting and integrating feedback, pushing the envelope, and waste systems. If you enjoy today's episode, please review us on Apple podcast or follow us on your preferred podcast platform.  Episode 109 Show Notes: You can find the rest of the show notes and links to Mark's work on our website.  Guest Bio: Mark Nelson Dr. Mark Nelson is a founding director of the Institute of Ecotechnics and has worked for several decades in closed ecological system research, ecological engineering, the restoration of damaged ecosystems, desert agriculture and orchardry and wastewater recycling. He is Chairman and CEO of the Institute of Ecotechnics (www.ecotechnics.edu), a U.K. and U.S. non-profit organization, which consults to several demonstration projects working in challenging biomes around the world; Vice Chairman of Global Ecotechnics Corp. (www.globalecotechnics.com), head of Wastewater Gardens International (www.wastewatergardens.com). Mark has helped pioneer a new ecological approach to sewage treatment, “Wastewater Gardens®” which are constructed subsurface flow wetlands with high biodiversity and has created over 90 such systems in Mexico, Belize, Bali & Sulawesi, Indonesia, West Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, Poland, the Bahamas, the Philippines, Algeria and the United States since 1996 (www.wastewatergardens.com). He served as Director of Space and Environmental Applications for Space Biospheres Ventures, which created and operated Biosphere 2, the 3.15 acre materially closed facility near Tucson, Arizona, the world's first laboratory for global ecology (www.biospheres.com). Dr. Nelson was a member of the eight person “biospherian” crew for the first two year closure experiment, 1991-1993. His research inside included litter fall/decomposition in the tropical biomes, population dynamics and biomass increase, sustainable agricultural system, and constructed wetland sewage treatment system. Beginning in the 1970s, Mark worked in the high desert grassland south of Santa Fe, New Mexico where he made hundreds of tons of compost, planted over a thousand fruit and windbreak trees, creating an oasis in previously overgrazed and eroding country. Since 1978 Mark has worked in the semi-arid tropical savannah of West Australia where he helped start Savannah Systems P/L a project centered on the pasture regeneration and enrichment of a 5000 acre property in the Kimberley region. Publications include the books “Life Under Glass: Crucial Lessons in Planetary Stewardship from 2 Years in Biosphere 2” (2nd edition, Synergetic Press, 2020), “Pushing Our Limits: Insights from Biosphere 2” (University of Arizona, February 2018), “The Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time” (Synergetic Press, 2014), co-authoring “Life Under Glass” and “Space Biospheres”, editing “Biological Life Support Technologies: Commercial Opportunities” and numerous chapters in books on space life support systems. His research papers include ones on ecological hierarchy, wastewater recycling through the use of constructed wetlands, and applications of closed ecological systems. Dr. Nelson is an Associate Editor of the journal Life Sciences in Space Research. Mark's educational background includes a Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering Sciences from the University of Florida. His dissertation involved the creation of experimental Wastewater Gardens® for protection of groundwater quality and coral reef health along the coast of Yucatan, Mexico. His M.S. was in the School of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Arizona; and his B.A. in Philosophy/Pre-Med Sciences was from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire. Mark was awarded the Yuri Gagarin Jubilee Medal, 1993 for outstanding service to international cooperation in space and the environment by the Russian Cosmonautics Federation; and elected a Fellow of the Explorers Club (1994) and a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (2001). Host Bio: Joshua Prieto - LinkedIn Profile Josh is the co-founder and CEO of Seeds of Tao an education and incubation company for regenerative entrepreneurs. If you ask him the purpose of SoT, he'll tell you it is to create paths to a more inclusive, fair, and balanced economy. He feels a special kind of entrepreneur is the key to that path. In the past he has felt discouraged, disappointed, and confused by the extractive and degenerative practices of the businesses he has helped during his career as an entrepreneur and marketing strategist. When he found the regenerative and permaculture movement he realized that if entrepreneurs used regenerative principles and practices in their business our economy and culture would change from an extractive, degenerative one to a consciously regenerative one. Today he focuses on building up and increasing the number of regenerative entrepreneurs through open education services and incubator programs. He would absolutely love it if you joined him in his efforts.

The book Changing Our Minds is an experiential tour through a social, spiritual, and scientific revolution that is redefining our culture's often-confusing relationship with psychoactive substances. Its author (and my guest), Don Lattin, is well-researched and well spoken on the subject of psychedelic medicine. Speaking both from professional and personal experiences, he values these drugs for their healing potential, but cautions us – are psychedelics too popular now? Are we giving these powerful substances the respect they need?“I think there's a danger in us forgetting that these drugs are not something to take lightly”Veteran San Francisco based journalist, Don Lattin, is an award-winning journalist and author of six books, including The Harvard Psychedelic Club, published by HarperCollins in 2010, and Changing Our Minds – Psychedelic Sacraments and the New Psychotherapy, released in 2017 by Synergetic Press. Don has been writing about psychedelics for newspapers and magazines since the 1970s. In addition to his books, you can read his work on Lucid News.Thank you for reading Mind Body Health & Politics. This post is public so feel free to share it.Show notes:* How Aldous Huxley experimented with LSD at the end of his life* Dying with consciousness* Psychedelic research groups* The genesis of the fear of death* End of life transition with psychedelics* The most terrifying experiences, if you have a proper guide, are the best experiences* Questions that would be beneficial to ask yourself near the end of life* These drugs are not something to take lightly* Treatments Don has tried personally* The most effective immediate cure for depression* Microdosing with mushrooms and LSDLinks and references:* Psychedelic Wisdom (Dr. Richard L. Miller) AVAILABLE NOW* Psychedelic Medicine (Dr. Richard L. Miller)* A Really Good Day (Ayelet Waldman)* God on psychedelicsWant the episode transcript and video? Join our Tribe!Mind Body Health & Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.https://www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe Get full access to Mind Body Health & Politics at www.mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/subscribe

Douglas Reil is the co-founder and CEO at CannaKeys, whose mission is to empower patients, medical professionals, caregivers, and the industry with the tools to maximize the effectiveness of cannabis therapeutics and create an agency with regard to their applications. In this episode, Doug talks openly about his combined experience as a patient and work in the publishing industry that led to the creation of CannaKeys. In addition, he describes his vision for a new clinical model that would offer a science-based holistic, individualised approach using plant-based therapies and mind-body medicine.He is motivated to drive this mission by his experience working with patients and as his own path incorporating cannabis to help treat his Crohn's Disease. In the cannabis industry, he has worked in compliance and community development and was the Program Director of the compassion program Mission: Compassion which provided free cannabis medicine to low-income patients. He was a founding member of the California Compassion Coalition which drove the passage of SB34 which created compliant pathways for compassionate cannabis activities in California. His thirty- five year career in publishing includes serving as Publisher and Executive Director at the nonprofit publisher North Atlantic Books and currently as Associate Publisher and Managing Director at Synergetic Press which focuses on psychedelics, regenerative practices, and social justice. Useful Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/douglasreil/https://synergeticpress.com/https://cannakeys.comhttps://www.facebook.com/douglas.reil To learn more about plants & your health from Colleen at LabAroma check out this informative PDF https://mailchi.mp/2fe0e426b244/osw1lg2dkh Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult your doctor if you are in need of medical care, and before making any changes to your health routine.

In this Earth Day episode of the podcast, Joe interviews publisher, ecologist, planetary steward, and co-owner of Synergetic Press, Deborah Snyder. They discuss Biosphere 2 and how psychedelics and ecological spaces overlap. www.psychedelicstoday.com  

In this episode of For the Wild, Ayana and returning guest Dr. Vandana Shiva discuss the crumbling of the colonial paradigm and the promise of re-commoning the commons for our collective future. Situating us in the exigency of food and seed sovereignty for our present time, Dr. Shiva reminds us that seeds and living systems are not open access systems to be privatized, patented, or exploited. Rather, the commons are central to all of life. In this multifaceted episode, we discuss threats to the commons by Big Tech; the brilliance and sophistication of Indigenous seed cultures and breeding, the toxicity of GMO crops for our bodies and the planet, the benefits of agroecological farming, and the need for diversity in our ecosystems and justice movements. Tying the green-washed quest by tech barons to digitalize the world to legacies of colonialism and imperialism under a similar “civilizing” mission, Dr. Shiva warns that the ruling class operates from a place of fear of any being alive and free on their own terms. We end this conversation with a call to a paradigm shift away from capitalism, control and fear to one of partnership with the earth. Vandana Shiva is a world-renowned environmental thinker and activist, a leader in the International Forum on Globalisation and of the Slow Food Movement. Founder of Navdanya and of the Research Foundation for Science, Technology and Ecology, and a tireless crusader for farmers', peasants', and women's rights, she is author and editor of many influential books, including two from Synergetic Press, Reclaiming the Commons: Biodiversity, Indigenous Wisdom, and the Rights of Mother Earth (2020) and the forthcoming Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy: A Global Citizens' Report on the Corporate Control of Technology, Health, and Agriculture, which is slated for release in February 2022. Music by Peals, Peia, and Kaivalya. Visit our website at forthewild.world for the full episode description, references, and action points.

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/medicine

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychology

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/drugs-addiction-and-recovery

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/spiritual-practice-and-mindfulness

Kile M. Ortigo's Beyond the Narrow Life: A Guide to Psychedelic Integration and Existential Exploration (Synergetic Press, 2021) addresses major issues that arise from the psychospiritual and therapeutic use of psychedelics. It describes a core structure that psychedelic journeys exhibit, and share, with classic mythologies; religious traditions; and spiritual practices. Its method is to integrate findings from cognitive-behavioral therapy, Jungian depth psychology, existential philosophy, compassion and mindfulness practices, comparative mythology, pop culture, film, and scientific understandings of the cosmos. The book also includes exercises designed to guide readers through the profound questions raised by diverse individual journeys of change and growth.  Steve Beitler's work in the history of medicine focuses on how pain has been understood, treated, experienced, and represented. Recently published articles examined the history of opiates in American football and surveyed the history of therapeutic drugs. He can be reached at noelandsteve@gmail.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/psychoanalysis

Dr. Vandana Shiva joins us on Nonviolence Radio this week to discuss her latest book from Synergetic Press, Philanthrocapitalism and the Erosion of Democracy: A Global Citizens'  Report on the Corporate Control of Technology, Health, and Agriculture. 

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Comparative and Theoretical Studies" is the third and final session of the day-long symposium in three sessions exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world's leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. This final session explores how the work of Stanislav Grof has been applied and looking toward future paradigms of therapeutic practice. A panel discussion with Tom Riedlinger, Tom Roberts, Diane Haug, Jasmine Virdi and John Buchanan. Moderated by Maria Mangini, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press To learn about Psyche Unbound click this link: citylights.com/psyche-unbound-tr…te-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

Marcellus Bear Heart Williams is what I call a living ancestor. A living ancestor is a person whose wisdom has not departed, but instead taken up residence in the hearts of those who loved him, and even perhaps in those that never met him – someone like myself. Living ancestors are not deceased, as in inert or forgotten. Their energy has not been destroyed; their spirit and work in the world is ongoing. Join us as we invite into the conversation the spirit of Bear Heart, his wife, Reginah Waterspirit, and Tim Amsden, the editor of the newly released book on Synergetic Press, The Bear is My Father: The Wisdom of a Muscogee Creek Elder Marcellus Bear Heart Williams, the brilliant companion piece to The Wind is My Mother, that came out in 1996.   Reginah Waterspirit, co-author of The Bear is My Father, and the wife and medicine helper of Bear Heart, is originally from the Bronx, NY. An artist from birth, she sees all of life as art and has owned and operated numerous businesses, all centered around some form of art.  In 1979 she boarded the Queen Elizabeth the 2nd  ship in New York harbor and crossed the Atlantic Ocean bound for Europe.  After traveling from the Netherlands to the Greek Islands, she ended up in Italy painting in a 14th Century structure inhabited by Machiavelli when he wrote The Prince. In the early 1980s she studied Voice Dialogue, helpful in exploring our own personal and transpersonal energies, from the originators of the method: Hal and Sidra Stone. That was the beginning of a life change that led to her meeting Marcellus Bear Heart, of the Muskogee Nation-Creek Tribe, a caretaker of sacred ways. She was 42 years old when she embarked on a brand new, life adventure with Bear Heart,. They worked and travelled together in the United States, Europe, Mexico and Canada for the next 23 years. She went on to become an independent teacher of Voice Dialogue, other psycho-spiritual disciplines, and Art In The Park, a realistic type drawing class for the very young and elderly, that honors our connection with all living things. Regina is a member of an earth based community called The Earth Tribe and committed to the transformational process of humans who experience themselves as one of many species, not higher or lower in stature. A dog and animal lover, she lives in Albuquerque with [dog name Rocky?],  who reinforces her connection to the land.  Tim Amsden was born in Wichita, Kansas, earned a J.D. from the University of Iowa, and worked for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City for 25 years, primarily on water quality protection issues. He and now lives with his wife, Lucia, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His writings have appeared in journals and anthologies throughout the US, as well as in Canada, Algeria, Ireland, and Turkey, and his full-length book of poetry, Vanishing Point, was published in 2015. He was editor of and contributor to a book titled The Bear is My Father: Indigenous Wisdom of a Muskogee Creek Medicine Man. that was published in 2021 by Synergetic Press. He is currently finalizing Love Letter to Ghost Land: Living Along an Ancient New Mexico Trail, a portrait of his life with Lucia in Ramah, New Mexico, and the history and deep spirit that permeates that sacred place. Marcellus Bear Heart Williams was born a full-blooded member of the Muskogee Creek Nation in Okemah, Oklahoma, on April 13th, 1918. One of the last traditionally trained medicine persons of his Tribe, he studied for 14 years under two medicine men, then went on to obtain an undergraduate degree, a divinity degree majoring in Biblical Greek, and an honorary Ph.D. in Humanities. He was a roadman in the Native American Church, an ordained American Baptist Minister, and spoke 14 languages, 13 of them native. He prayed with President Truman, put down prayers with police and firemen at Ground Zero, New York City. served on a variety of national and international panels and boards, and authored two books. His first book, The Wind Is My Mother, was published by Random House in 1996 and has been translated into 14 languages. His second book, co-authored by his medicine helper, Reginah WaterSpirit, was just published by Synergetic Press under the title The Bear is My Father. Although he passed on August 4, 2008, Bear Heart's energy and open-hearted unconditional love continues to enrich lives around the globe. With his medicine helper Reginah WaterSpirit, his simple message to the world lives on: Everyone is worthy, we are all one Tribe, and it is our responsibility to honor and support the living earth.

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Psychotherapy and Consciousness" is the second session of the day-long symposium in three sessions, exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world's leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. This session is an overview of the research and main ideas of Stanislav Grof with guests Michael Mithoefer, Roshi Joan Halifax, Charles Grob, Paul Grof and Jenny Wade. Moderated by Janis Phelps, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press. To learn about Psyche Unbound click this link: citylights.com/psyche-unbound-tr…te-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: citylights.com/foundation/

In conjunction with MAPS (the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies)and Synergetic Press, City Lights presents "Psyche Unbound," a day-long appreciation of Stanislav Grof. "Early Witnesses and Allies" is the first session of the day-long symposium in three sessions, exploring the life and work of Stanislav Grof, the world's leading researcher in psychedelic therapy, breathwork, and the exploration of non-ordinary states of consciousness. A storytelling event and tribute with Stanislav and Brigitte Grof joined by Rick Tarnas, Sean Kelly, Rick Doblin, Susan Hess Logeals (Producer of the film "Way of the Psychonaut"), Will Keepin, and Diane Haug. Moderated by David Presti, with an opening statement from Peter Maravelis. This event was originally broadcast live via Zoom on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The event coincided with the launch of the new book: "Psyche Unbound: Essays in Honor of Stanislav Grof" Edited by Richard Tarnas, Ph.D. and Sean Kelly, Ph.D. and published by MAPS, with Synergetic Press To learn about Psyche Unbound click this link: https://citylights.com/psyche-unbound-tribute-to-stan-groff/ Special Thanks to the following for their support of this event: California Institute of Integral Studies, Tam Integration, Psychedelic Seminars, Esalen Institute, Psychedelic Society UK, Psychedelics Today, and DoubleBlind Mag. This event was made possible by support from the City Lights Foundation: https://citylights.com/foundation/

Mark Nelson, ‘Biospherian' and Chairman, Institute of Ecotechnics Ecologist and author, Mark Nelson was one of the original ‘biospherians' and we were honoured that Mark joined us at BlueTech Forum 2020 to share his fascinating story. A renowned international speaker, Mark is also a founding director of the Institute of Ecotechnics and has worked with water, wastewater and natural systems for several decades.Mark was interviewed by Aoife Kelleher, Lead Researcher, Brave Blue World.  Mark shared lessons he learned from his time in Biosphere II around closed loops, connectivity, conservation, isolation and the need to tackle global problems with global cooperation. His research focuses on closed ecological system research, ecological engineering, restoration of damaged ecosystems, and wastewater recycling.Mark is the author of numerous papers and books, including the excellent ‘Wastewater Gardener: Preserving the Planet One Flush at a Time', co-author of a newly published 2nd edition of “Life Under Glass: Crucial Lessons in Planetary Stewardship from 2 years inside Biosphere 2” (Synergetic Press, 2020) and is featured in the new documentary exploring the Biosphere II journey, Spaceship Earth.

The Life and Times of Richard Evans Schultes – Schultes was a scholarship student at Harvard College when entered as a Freshman in 1933. An undergraduate term paper on peyote resulted in an opportunity to partake in a traditional ceremony with the Kiowa in Oklahoma, which then led to research in southern Mexico where he produced the first detailed, scientific account of the so-called “magic mushrooms.” Post-graduate research led him to the Colombian Amazon where he produced the first detailed scientific account of ayahuasca and other Plants of the Gods. In 1967, he organized a conference in San Francisco with Albert Hoffman where the conclusion was that the Plants of the Gods would reshape the treatment of certain emotional and psychiatric disorders at some point in the future, a prediction, which has recently come to full fruition. Sources: Kreig, Margaret. Green Medicine: the Search for Plants That Heal. Bantam Books, 1966. Mann, John. Murder, Magic, and Medicine. Oxford University Press, 2000. Plotkin, Mark J. Ph. D. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice: an Ethnobotanist Searches for New Medicines in the Amazon Rain Forest. Viking, 1993. Prance, Ghillean T., et al. Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs. Synergetic Press, in Association with Heffter Research Institute, 2018.   Stewart, Amy, et al. Wicked Plants: the Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities. Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2009.

Curare – Once known as the “flying death of the Amazon,” curare is a mixture of rainforest plants that indigenous peoples smear on the tips of their arrows or blowdarts to give them a deadly effectiveness. In the hands of western physicians, however, curare has been converted into a life-sustaining medication, a muscle relaxant in abdominal surgery.  Sources: Balick, Michael J., and Paul Alan Cox. Plants, People, and Culture the Science of Ethnobotany. CRC Press, 2020.   Marks, Geoffrey, and William K. Beatty. The Medical Garden: Illustrated. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1971.  Plotkin, Mark J. Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know®. Oxford University Press, 2020.  Plotkin, Mark J. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice: an Ethnobotanist Searches for New Medicines in the Amazon Rain Forest. Viking, 1993.  Prance, Ghillean T., et al. Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs. Synergetic Press, in Association with Heffter Research Institute, 2018.  Schultes, Richard Evans., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods. Vandermarck, 1979. 

Coca – not to be confused with coconuts or with cacao, the source of chocolate - is a large bush or small tree native to northwestern South America. Cocaine extracted from the leaves found favor among personages as diverse as Sigmund Freud and Ulysses S. Grant as it was once used as a component of various tonics, patent medicines and even a popular wine. Coca leaves are still widely used in this corner of South America for a variety of purposes by the indigenous tribes of the region.  Sources: Plotkin, Mark J. Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know®. Oxford University Press, 2020.  Plowman, Timothy. “The Ethnobotany of Coca.” Advances in Economic Botany, Volume 1, Sept. 1984, pp. 62–111.  Prance, Ghillean T., et al. Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs. Synergetic Press, in Association with Heffter Research Institute, 2018.  Schultes, Richard Evans., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods. Vandermarck, 1979. 

Hallucinogenic snuffs – though most hallucinogens like magic mushrooms or ayahuasca are taken orally, the indigenous peoples of Amazonia have created two different and highly potent snuffs from Amazonian trees which they consume for a variety of healing and divinatory purposes. As with ayahuasca, the author draws on his personal insights and experiences with these plants and these peoples to describe the biocultural importance of these snuffs.  Sources: Chagnon, Napoleon A. The Fierce People. Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1968.  Plotkin, Mark J. Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know®. Oxford University Press, 2020.  Plotkin, Mark J. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice: an Ethnobotanist Searches for New Medicines in the Amazon Rain Forest. Viking, 1993. Prance, Ghillean T., et al. Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs. Synergetic Press, in Association with Heffter Research Institute, 2018.  Schultes, Richard Evans, and Robert F. Raffauf. Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia. Synergetic Press, 2004.  Schultes, Richard Evans., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods. Vandermarck, 1979.   

Ayahuasca – From Argentina to Australia, from Israel to Indonesia, a once-obscure Amazonian vine, admixed with a few other plants is now celebrated – and even venerated – as a plant of power knowledge and healing. Ayahuasca – also known as “the vine of the soul.” Native to the northwest Amazon and employed by indigenous shamans for therapeutic purposes, this plant has played a fundamental role in the ongoing mainstreaming of hallucinogenic plants into western therapeutic practices.  Sources: Luna, Luis Eduardo, and Steven F. White. Ayahuasca Reader: Encounters with the Amazon's Sacred Vine. Synergetic Press, 2016.  Plotkin, Mark J. Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know®. Oxford University Press, 2020.   Plotkin, Mark J. Medicine Quest: in Search of Nature's Healing Secrets. Penguin Books, 2001. Schultes, Richard Evans, and Robert F. Raffauf. Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia. Synergetic Press, 2004. Schultes, Richard Evans., and Albert Hofmann. Plants of the Gods. Vandermarck, 1979.  

ATTENTION : Join artist,comedian and podcaster Ramin Nazer and I, this Thursday 9/24 for a LIVE CALL IN SHOW on ZOOM. Starts at 7pm PT / 10pm ET. bit.ly/templeofzoom A wonderful new psychedelic friend , the lovely Jasmine Virdi of Synergetic Press and Cosmic Sister joins the Nod this week. Jasmine is a writer, editor, proofreader and educator who raises awareness about the benefits and risks of sacred plant medicines and encourages people to make informed choices about their therapeutic potential and transformational capacities. By sharing the socio-historical context in which these substances emerged, Jasmine hopes to help people integrate them into their lives in a safe and meaningful way while protecting indigenous ethnobotanical practices and their environments. Since 2018 she has been a writer, editor and social media coordinator for the fiercely independent Synergetic Press where her passions for ecology, ethnobotany and psychoactive substances converge.  She has published articles for Psychedelics Today, Chacruna.Net, Lucid News, Entheonation and OPEN foundation.  She recently spoke at Psyched2020 as well as Earthdance Vision 2020.  For reference we recorded this back in late March. Jasmine does PR for a really cool literary publishing company called Synergetic Press and had sent me an email about having a few of their authors on as guests.  They put out a lot of books about psychedelics and mindfullness and in general seem very passionate and righteous in their artistic quest.  While this sounded cool, I had stumbled upon some of Jasmine's own writing and videos and was more interested in having her on the show first.  I genuinely enjoy seeking out people who haven't told their stories yet and while I would love to have some of said Synergetic authors on in the future I'm so happy that I was able to have Jasmine on as even since we had this talk her profile as a writer and educator has exploded.  Jasmine and I talk about her journey as a traveler, student and writer in the world of plant medicine.  We discuss our early impressions of the COVID world (this was in late March) and share various experiences with psychedelics and community.  Follow Jasmine On Instagram Read Her Most Recent Piece On Peyote For Psychedelics Today For a bonus interview with Jasmine & I, lots of early episodes, bonus content and merch goodies : Support The Cosmic Nod on Patreon! Donate To The Show  Would you please take a minute to give the show a rating and review on apple podcasts? Pretty Please? I love you.  Follow The Cosmic Nod on Instagram Follow The Cosmic Nod on Twitter Follow Colin on Instagram  Check out Colin's Art Store

Guest speaker: John Allen and Tango Parrish Snyder PROGRAM NOTES: This podcast features another of the 2012 Palenque Norte Lectures that were held at the Burning Man Festival. The speakers are John Allen and Tango Parrish Snyder, both of whom have been involved in many large-scale Earth Science projects, including Biosphere 2. In his presentation, John makes a strong plea for all of us to gain a better understanding of not just our own local ecosystems, but of the Earth's entire biosphere as well. It is a fascinating talk and is followed by an interesting Q&A session. Download MP3 PCs – Right click, select option Macs – Ctrl-Click, select option Me and the Biospheres: A Memoir by the Inventor of Biosphere 2 By John Allen The publishing home of John Allen and Tango Parrish Snyder Upcoming Events Books from the Synergetic Press