Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

“I’ve found I can do about two years of therapy in a single day,” says this week’s guest, psychotherapist Jonathan Robinson, about using MDMA with clients. Starting in the 1970s, therapists began using MDMA to treat patients. But, by the late 80s, this empathogen became the rave drug of choice, and its therapeutic uses were sidelined when the DEA classified it as a schedule 1 controlled substance....

In this deep and funny episode, I’m joined by Kyle Nicolaides,lead singer/songwriter/guitarist for the band Beware of Darkness, to explore his transformative journey from depression to healing. Kyle opens up about his struggles with mental health, the pivotal role of ayahuasca in his recovery, insights from his book (Thank God for Depression), tapping into and protecting creativity as an artist, a...

In this episode, Christine Rosen joins me to discuss the many critical human skills we’re in the process of losing due to technology. Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, is the author of "The Extinction of Experience." Together, we explore the impact of technology on human connection, the importance of face-to-face interactions, the value of boredom and the challenges of r...

Listen and be uplifted! Siri Lindley joins me to dive into her extraordinary life. She was a world champion triathlete who didn’t know how to swim. She battled a rare, almost-always-deadly strand of leukemia and won. She weathered homophobia in her personal life and athletic career, learning how to live authentically along the way. She and her partner, Rebekah Keat, started a successful horse resc...

In this heartfelt episode of "Love, Loss, and Hallucinations," I welcome Christy Turlington-Burns, founder and president of Every Mother Counts. Together we dive into themes of love, loss and resilience as Christy shares touching moments from her dad’s passing when she was in her late 20s, what she learned from witnessing his death (and her grandmother's), how Eastern philosophy helped her underst...

In this profound episode, I welcome Benjamin Forest, a retired lieutenant colonel who has transformed his life into that of a psychedelic coach, speaker, and author. We dive into Benjamin's transformative journey from a military career to embracing the healing power of psychedelics, exploring themes of spirituality, personal growth, and the transformative impact of plant medicine. Benjamin shares...

In episode 18, I talk with Jennifer Griffith, author of the memoir "Both Sides of Then: Finding Love After Abandonment." Jennifer's memoir uniquely intertwines her life with her mother's, exploring themes of identity, loss, and the complexities of family dynamics.  We discuss her transition from a successful tech career to writing, inspired by her father’s death and a pivotal moment at a Tony Robb...

In this episode of "Love, Loss, and Hallucinations" you will discover how nature can serve as a guide and catalyst for change. Scott is joined by Michael Jospé, CEO of the Earth-Based Institute, and together they look at the transformative power of the outdoors. Michael shares his journey from wilderness adventures to founding a unique and powerful coaching program that integrates nature connectio...

In this episode, Brittany Harris, a holistic wellness practitioner, joins Scott to take a deep look at a part of our body most of us ignore, our fascia. As a fascia expert, she discusses the important roles it plays for each of us, how it’s tied to our emotional, physical, and even spiritually well-being, and how it is connected to trauma and healing. Brittany also opens up about living with type...

In this episode of Love, Loss and Hallucinations, executive coach and spiritual advisor Zev Schiller and I engage in a deep conversation with about the nuances of coaching, personal growth, the wisdom to be learned from loss, and the important benefits of men’s groups. Zev shares his journey from navigating personal challenges to helping others find clarity and purpose in their lives. We explore t...

Are you addicted to an unhealthy idea of love? Is our culture? Do you lose yourself in relationships, romantic or platonic, again and again? And, what does healthy love look like? Jodi White, a trauma therapist and love addiction expert, joins Scott in this lively episode to dig deep into L O V E. We get into the symptoms of love addiction, the cultural and familial influences that contribute to i...

Being human is messy, something Albert Strasser knows first-hand. As a coach who once studied to become a Tibetan monk, he was dealt a one-two punch of sorrow in recent years. First, his dad’s death, which broke him. Soon after, his brother flatlined during an iboga plant medicine journey, but was revived, only to go into a coma, and is still in an unresponsive wakeful or “vegetative” state. Alber...

Anna Symonds, a national champion rugby player, has been face-to-face with intense grief, loss, trauma and evil. Fifteen years ago, her life was torn apart when a good friend and team member was brutally murdered. Anna’s journey since that day has been one of navigating the challenges of healing and forgiveness, finding her way through the pain of a divorce, and, with the help of plant medicine, d...

Jimmy Riccitello is a triathlon legend, although he’d never use that term for himself. After falling into the sport almost by accident, he went on to become an XTERRA Off-Road Triathlon world champion, a 2x USA triathlon team member at the Goodwill Gamesone, and one of his era’s most fierce forces on the bike. He also happens to be funny as hell. In this episode, we share tales from those earlier...

In this wholly unique and wise episode, I talk with Sarah Hope, a psychedelic coach & earth-based healer. Through personal stories and profound insights, Sarah shares how her early fascination with mysticism and healing led her to embrace plant medicine and become a micro-dosing pioneer and shamanic guide. We also delve in the classic hero’s journey and contrast that with the heroine’s journey...

In this wisdom-filled episode, Jeff Wright, a seasoned marriage and family therapist with 20 years of experience, shares insights he’s learned about love, loss, plant medicine and prayer as a therapist and from his own challenging life journey. Jeff and I delve into the intricate dance of vulnerability and love in relationships, the power spirituality and prayer can have in healing, the need to un...

In this transformative episode, Marisa Radha Weppner, a somatic and psychedelic therapist and a yoga and meditation instructor, and I explore the emerging role of psychedelics and ketamine therapy in the realm of healing. We look at how these modalities are offering new hope for those seeking healing and personal growth. We also dive into the intriguing world of shadow work and talk about how conf...

In this engaging conversation, Andrew Munz, founder and director of Tumbleweed Creative Arts in Jackson, WY, shares how art has helped him heal from an intense family tragedy. The discussion digs into the impacts of personal tragedy and the complexities of navigating relationships afterwards with honesty and vulnerability. We also talk about if beauty can be found in death and tragedy, the double-...

In this deep and captivating episode, I talk with the renowned and groundbreaking artist, East Forest. Together, we explore the profound connections between music, nature, and the human experience, as well as the transformative world of psychedelics, and how all these areas can foster personal growth and deepen our understanding of love. We get into why he decided to take on the mammoth task of cr...

In this compelling episode, we delve into the difficulties of navigating grief, exploring both personal stories and universal themes. Join host Scott as he sits down with Julie Mahoney Thomas, a therapist with over 25 years in hospice care and grief counseling. Julie shares her personal journey through loss and how it shaped her professional path. Together, they discuss the distinctions between gr...

In this episode, Eli Marienthal , co-founder of Back to Earth , a premier youth wilderness immersion and rites of passage organization, discusses the transformative power of nature and rites of passage for youth, particularly teenage boys. But, regardless of your age, this is an inspiring approach to connecting with oneself and those around you on a deeper level. ​Eli emphasizes the importance of...

In the inaugural episode of LOVE, LOSS & HALLUCINATIONS, host Scott Schumaker talks with award-winning novelist and indie record label owner Tiffanie DeBartolo, who also happens to be his wife, about the multifaceted nature of love, loss, and the experiences that shape our understanding of these concepts. They discuss the evolution of their perspectives on love, the balance between devotion an...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we delve into the profound intersection of love and loss, music and parenting, and the challenges of practicing selflessness and being present. Join us as Max Rainer, the lead singer of Wilderado, opens up about his journey of music, self-discovery and the challenges of prioritizing others while nurturing his own development. Through engaging dialogue, Max...

In this transformative episode, we delve into the journey of embracing vulnerability and escaping the chains of codependency. My guest, co-dependency counselor and ceremony guide, Erika Wright, shares her journey from codependency to embracing vulnerability, highlighting the importance of being true to oneself. She also discusses her profound experiences with plant medicine and ceremony, revealing...

What is the Love, Loss & Hallucinations podcast all about? Host Scott Schumaker hopes to create a community for those who have experienced profound moments in life, exploring various types of love, what can be learned from loss, and the insights gained from hallucinations. These deep conversations will feature diverse guests sharing their wisdom and experiences, tragedies and triumphs. Check o...