In this episode of the Psychedelics Design Podcast, host ⁠⁠Alexandra Plesner—founder of Psychedelics Design—sits down with ⁠Mattha Busby⁠, a journalist and author known for his deep reporting on drug and health policy, human rights, society, and the environment.

Currently based in Mexico, Mattha is a regular contributor to The Guardian and VICE, and his work has appeared in Rolling Stone, WIRED, TIME, and more. Together, they explore the power of storytelling in the psychedelic movement, the risks of silence around harm, and how culture shapes the psychedelic experience—both in the media and beyond.

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In this episode of the Psychedelics Design Podcast, host ⁠Alexandra Plesner⁠ interviews ⁠Dr. Bruce Damer⁠ and ⁠Matt Gillespie⁠ from ⁠MINDS⁠.

The discussion explores the intersection of psychedelics, design, and scientific breakthroughs. Dr. Bruce Damer, an astrobiologist, shares his experiences using mindfulness and psychedelics to achieve key insights in his scientific work, including his hot spring hypothesis for the origin of life. He discusses the concept of "endotrips" (internally generated insights) and "exotrips" (psychedelic-assisted insights) and how combining the two can lead to innovative solutions.

Matt Gillespie discusses his background in industrial design and his belief that psychedelics can shift our fundamental understanding of the world, leading to a more sustainable and innovative future.

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In this episode, my guest is Marc Violo, the founder of MycoStories, a global fungi innovation and conservation network focused on exploring and promoting the applications of fungi for sustainable solutions across industries. MycoStories supports academic research and early-stage startups through business and investment strategy.

We talked with Marc about the transformative potential of fungi, exploring their applications in various fields that range from food, materials, agriculture and carbon storage to physical and mental health.

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In this episode, my guest is ⁠Gina Vensel, co-founder of Plant Media Project, a women-owned boutique agency specialising in plant medicine education and advocacy and owner of the events company Easy Street Promotions. Most recently co-founded the Three Rivers Psychedelic Society (TRiPS). She is on the national board of directors for the Students for Sensible Drug Policy and serves on the Global Psychedelic Society team.

Dedicated to maintaining lasting relationships with a focus on building community, Gina is a hard-working entrepreneur and we talked about community building, innovation, building a successful company, cultural awareness, and how to keep sane as an entrepreneur in the psychedelic space.

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In this episode, my guest is ⁠Stephanie Karzon Abrams⁠, a neuropharmacologist with a Master of Science in Clinical Pharmacology and the founding advisor of ⁠Beyond The Bench consultancy⁠.

We talked about Stephanie's career as a clinical pharmacologist and researcher transcends traditional boundaries, clinical excellence, entrepreneurship, music, philanthropy, genius and the fantastic world of fungi.

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In this episode, my guest is ⁠⁠⁠Jennifer Chesak, an award-winning freelance science and medical journalist, editor, and fact-checker. Her book “The Psilocybin Handbook for Women” took the public by storm.

Jennifer shares her deeply personal journey shaped by health challenges and a profound interest in the mechanisms of the human body, especially the female body, which has been a catalyst for her career in journalism and authorship. She discusses how various health issues throughout her life have influenced her path, emphasizing the importance of learning about medical studies and new research. We also talk about the power of nature and the pivotal role nature played in her life, providing solace and inspiration that enriched her storytelling.

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In this episode, my guest is ⁠⁠⁠Tracy DeLuca, founder of How Might We Design, a healthcare innovation consultancy.

We talk about the meaning of design strategy and explore design beyond mere aesthetics. We discuss how processes, systems, relationships, and business models can embody psychedelic principles.

Additionally, we highlight the benefits of implementing thoughtful design from the early stages of a project, the importance of designing with nature in mind, and the concept of conscious design. We also examine how design teams operate within agencies, emphasizing the significance of industry knowledge while maintaining a disruptive mindset.

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In this episode, my guest is Lauren Van Der Veen founder of Zen Ren Design, a Los Angeles-based design firm that specializes in architectural design services and project management. Lauren, originally from the South Side of Chicago, brings a modern yet holistic approach to design.

We talked about what inspired Lauren to start Zen Ren Design, how she integrates human psychology into the design process and examples of her work where rituals played a key role in the design and more.

Tune in for a conversation filled with thought-provoking perspectives and inspiring stories.

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In this episode, my guest is ⁠Raad Seraj Angel Investor in Therapeutic Psychedelics, Host of the Minority Trip Report Podcast and Founder of the Mission Club. To Read, entrepreneurship is about creating value amid complexity, ambiguity, and uncertainty i.e. amplifying if it exists, building if it doesn’t.

In this podcast episode, we explore psychedelics beyond the substance, touching on if processes, relationships, and business models could embody psychedelic principles. We touch on social impact, sustainability and designing in synergy with nature, posing profound questions about agency, programming, and the nature of human civilization. We discuss the amplifying effects of psychedelics on good and bad, their lack of a moral compass, and their potential to expand our imagination and cosmic connection.

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In this episode, my guest is Laura Dawn who teaches business and thought-leaders, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals how to mindfully explore psychedelics and sacred plant medicines as powerful visionary tools for inner transformation, fostering emotional resiliency and unlocking new depths of our creative potential.

We discuss the fascinating intersection of design, psychology, and psychedelics. Laura shares her unique journey of being 'raised by psychedelics' and its profound impact on her relationship with nature. She also gives insights into navigating the balance between tradition and innovation in the creative process.

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