The Daily

The first time Robert Draper heard about the psychedelic drug ibogaine, it was from an unlikely source: the retired U.S. senator Kyrsten Sinema. As a political reporter for The New York Times, Draper often talks to figures like Ms. Sinema. But on this occasion, he said, she wanted to tell him about how she had tried ibogaine, which is illegal in the United States. She’d become such a believer in the drug that she was pushing her home state of Arizona to fund clinical trials for veterans with combat-related trauma.

Draper found that Ms. Sinema wasn’t the only politician to take up the cause. Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, Republican presidential candidate and Trump energy secretary, has also advocated for research into ibogaine in recent years and taken the drug himself. In 2025, because of Mr. Perry’s efforts, Texas became the first state to dedicate public funds to ibogaine research with veterans.

Recent studies of ibogaine at Stanford University and elsewhere suggest that it might prove effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, addiction and a range of other conditions. As Draper reported on ibogaine’s transformative effects on others, he wondered: Could it help him, too?

Today, on “The Sunday Daily,” Natalie Kitroeff talks to Robert Draper about what drew him to travel to Mexico to try ibogaine, and how his trip changed his life.

On Today’s Episode: 

Robert Draper (usually) writes about domestic politics for The New York Times.

Background Reading:

It’s an Obscure Psychedelic Used to Treat Trauma. Could It Help Me?

The Long, Strange Trip of Rick Perry

Art Credit: Illustration By Melissa Santamaría

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The writer, actor and lightning rod is not done sharing yet.

Thoughts? Email us at [email protected]

Watch our show on YouTube: youtube.com/@TheInterviewPodcast

For transcripts and more, visit: nytimes.com/theinterview

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Mississippi has seen a stunning turnaround in national test scores in the past decade, even as they have fallen almost everywhere else.

Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter, explains what the state can teach the rest of the country about how to educate students.

Guest: Sarah Mervosh, an education reporter at The New York Times, focusing on K-12 schools.

Background reading: 

How Mississippi transformed its schools from worst to best.

Photo: Rory Doyle for The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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Who is Satoshi Nakamoto? Bitcoin’s pseudonymous founder has hidden his identity for 17 years despite many attempts to unmask him, even as his cryptocurrency has revolutionized finance and made him a billionaire.

John Carreyrou, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, walks us through the evidence he found pointing to the person behind the pseudonym. Then, we hear from the man John believes is Mr. Nakamoto.

Guest: John Carreyrou, an investigative reporter for The New York Times’s business section.

Background reading: 

Read John’s investigation into the identity of Bitcoin’s creator.

Here are four takeaways from the article.

Photo: Illustration by Yoshi Sodeoka; Photo by Amir Hamja

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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Warning: This episode contains strong language.

The United States and Iran announced a two-week cease-fire last night, shortly before President Trump’s deadline for Iran to unblock the Strait of Hormuz or to potentially see its “whole civilization” destroyed.

David E. Sanger, a White House correspondent for The New York Times, explains what led to this last-minute deal and what it will take to make it stick.

Guest: David E. Sanger, a White House and national security correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

Mr. Trump found his offramp with Iran, but the causes of the war remain unresolved.

Here is the latest on the Middle East.

Photo: Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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