Divergent States

History shows politics can make or break psychedelic medicine, will we repeat the 1960s backlash, or finally move forward?   In this episode of Divergent States , we explore the uneasy intersection of psychedelics and politics. MDMA remains a Schedule I drug—classified as dangerous with no medical use—while at the same time advancing through FDA Phase III trials. This contradiction highlights the...

In this episode of Divergent States , we sit down with Kabir Nath , CEO of Compass Pathways, and Dr. Steve Levine , Chief Patient Officer, to talk about the future of psychedelic medicine. From FDA approval and insurance coverage to patient access, cultural safety, and patents , we dig into whether Compass is truly disrupting the pharma model or just reinventing it. We also share a major community...

In this episode of Divergent States , host 3L1T3 and co-host Bryan sit down with Paul F. Austin , founder of The Third Wave and the Psychedelic Coaching Institute. We dive deep into microdosing psychedelics, intentional use for peak performance, and the rise of psychedelic coaching as a professional path. Paul shares insights from his book Mastering Microdosing , his vision for conscious entrepren...

Amber Capone , co-founder and CEO of Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS) , shares the powerful story of how psychedelic therapy - starting with Ibogaine - helped her husband, Navy SEAL Marcus Capone, recover from PTSD and TBI when traditional care failed. We dive into the science and controversy behind Ibogaine, the limits of VA mental health care, and how VETS is paving the way for safe...

What happens when the most hunted man in psychedelic history walks free and joins us for a conversation? In this deeply reflective episode of Divergent States , I sit down with William Leonard Pickard: chemist, philosopher, author of The Rose of Paracelsus , and the man once called the “Acid King.” After decades behind bars, Pickard returns with revelations about time, memory, suffering, redemptio...

In this episode, 3L1T3 sits down with Dr. Anne Wagner , clinical psychologist and founder of Remedy, whose research pushes MDMA therapy beyond the individual — into the space between two people. We explore what happens when couples facing PTSD enter treatment together, why trauma rarely belongs to just one partner, and whether psychedelic medicine can transform relational patterns where traditiona...

A former U.S. Senator says the federal government is preparing to fast-track psychedelic medicines, especially for veterans with TBI, PTSD, addiction, and treatment-resistant depression. In this conversation, Kyrsten Sinema explains why the current administration is unusually aligned behind plant-based therapies, how Ibogaine and MDMA could move through the FDA faster than expected, and why small...

This week, we sit down with Kevin Cranford, Communications Officer at MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), to talk about the upcoming Psychedelic Science 2025 conference — what’s new, what’s different, and why it’s shaping up to be more than just another gathering. From navigating hype vs. science to MAPS’ comms strategy, Kevin shares how the org is threading the needle be...

In this powerful new episode of Divergent States, your hosts 3L1T3 and Bryan sit down with Tom Feegel—CEO and Co-Founder of Beond, a pioneering Ibogaine clinic based in Mexico, to discuss the unfiltered realities of healing, addiction recovery, and the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Tom brings two decades of sobriety, a past life in global brand marketing, and deep experience...

What does it mean to be a responsible psychonaut? In this episode of Divergent States , we sit down again with Valerie Beltran, licensed therapist, harm reduction expert, and educator with the Zendo Project, to unpack 7 core principles for navigating psychedelic states with intention, safety, and compassion. We break down everything from testing your stash to dismantling your ego, and talk about h...

In this episode of Divergent States , we sit down with Alli Schaper , CEO of Supermush and co-founder of the Microdosing Collective , to explore the evolving world of functional and psychedelic mushrooms. Alli shares her journey into microdosing advocacy, the challenges of navigating the gray market for psychedelics, and the urgent push for policy reform to ensure safe, legal access. We dive into...

In this deeply personal and eye-opening episode, we sit down with filmmaker JR Sawyers , the mind behind the indie psychedelic drama A Trip Elsewhere . What begins as a conversation about a film turns into a powerful exploration of transformation, healing, and consciousness. JR opens up about the psychedelic retreat that changed his life, the emotional weight of isolation during the pandemic, and...

In this powerful episode of Divergent States , we’re joined by Valerie Beltran and Chelsea Rose-Pires of the Zendo Project- an organization redefining harm reduction and compassionate care at festivals, events, and beyond. We explore how the Zendo Project began as a MAPS initiative and evolved into its own nonprofit dedicated to supporting people through difficult psychedelic experiences and emoti...

In this episode of Divergent States , we talk with Dylalien: psychedelic DJ, producer, schoolteacher, and longtime organizer of Goa Gil’s legendary all-night, open-air ritual dance parties. You’ve heard his music on this podcast, but in this conversation, we go deep on what it means to create and participate in psychedelic music culture at its most raw, weird, and transformative. Together, we expl...

In this profound episode of Divergent States , we welcome Wendy Tucker, daughter of Ann Shulgin and stepdaughter of the legendary Sasha Shulgin , the "Godfather of Ecstasy." Wendy shares intimate stories of growing up at the iconic Shulgin Farm , working alongside Sasha in his lab, and her mission to preserve their legacy through the Shulgin Foundation . Key Topics Covered: Sasha’s Lab &...

In this episode of Divergent States , we sit down with Rick Doblin , founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), for a raw, unscripted conversation on the future of psychedelic therapy, the dangers of hype, and the deeply personal reasons behind his decades-long mission. We go deep into: Why MDMA was criminalized and how Doblin outmaneuvered the DEA The hard lessons fr...

In this episode of Divergent States , we talk with Joshua White , founder and executive director of the Fireside Project , a nonprofit creating a revolutionary model of psychedelic support through free, real-time emotional care and integration coaching. What happens when someone takes too much LSD and needs someone to talk to—right now? What if someone is trying to process an ayahuasca ceremony mo...

Hamilton Morris joins Divergent States to unpack a bizarre twist in the drug war: the DEA is using Reddit posts and trip reports as courtroom “evidence.” What happens when harm-reduction advice and half-baked comments are weaponized to criminalize psychedelics? And how do communities like r/Psychonaut survive in that climate? In this wide-ranging conversation, we cut through hype and paranoia to t...

What happens when psychedelic research, spiritual inquiry, and neurodivergence converge? In this premiere episode of Divergent States , we sit down with Dr. Rick Strassman , the groundbreaking researcher behind DMT: The Spirit Molecule , to explore the boundaries of consciousness, therapy, and identity. Host 3L1T3, an autistic psychonaut and longtime community curator, shares his personal journey...