The Psychedelic Podcast

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Dr. Richard Louis Miller about what psychedelic medicine must get right as it moves toward broader acceptance. Richard explains why transparent reporting of adverse effects is essential to informed choice, where research still leaves important gaps, and how commercialization could shape access and treatment.
They examine 5-MeO-DMT, group therapy, and the limits of one-to-one care. Richard also shares his approach to aging through exercise, real food, rest, and human connection.
Dr. Richard Louis Miller is a clinical psychologist, author, and broadcaster with over 65 years of clinical experience in mind-body health. At 87, he continues to practice, teach, and share the tools that have helped thousands of people master anxiety, overthinking, and negative self-talk.
He founded the Cokenders Alcohol and Drug Program, which detoxified over 1,500 people without medication, and created the Health Sanctuary at Wilbur Hot Springs, which he directed for 48 years. His work has appeared in Time, Newsweek, NBC News, and CBS News. He has also served as a consultant to the President's Commission on Mental Health and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Episode Highlights:
Why psychedelic science needs full transparency
Balancing potential benefits against real risks
Who psychedelic research frequently leaves out
Illegality as an overlooked adverse effect
5-MeO-DMT and the pharmaceutical model
Making psychedelic care more accessible
Aging as a practice of maintenance
Real connection over longevity trends
Episode Links:
Dr. Richard Louis Miller's website
Mind Body Health & Politics
Dr. Miller's book, The Adverse Effects & Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines
Instagram: @drrichardlouismiller
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-368/?ref=278
Episode Sponsors:
The Microdosing Practitioner Certification at Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes."
Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin speaks with Ian Gardner, founder and CEO of The Acraya, about dark retreats as an ancient contemplative practice now entering Western culture.
This episode is sponsored by The Acraya.
Listeners of The Psychedelic Podcast can receive 5% off an Acraya retreat. Visit https://acraya.global/thirdwave and use discount code 3WAVE when booking.
Ian explains what happens when external stimulation disappears, why boredom and difficult inner material can become central parts of the experience, and how dark retreats compare with psychedelics and extended meditation. He also discusses screening, facilitator training, post-retreat integration, and his vision for technologically supported retreat centers in Costa Rica, Nepal, Bali, and beyond.
Episode Highlights:
Ancient roots of dark retreat practice
What remains when sensory anchors disappear
Psychedelics versus gradual inner awakening
Boredom as a gateway to deeper material
Preparing for several days in darkness
Why facilitators need embodied experience
Screening for psychological contraindications
Technology designed to support retreat safety
Integrating before returning to ordinary life
Scaling dark retreat centers worldwide
Ian Gardner is the founder and CEO of The Acraya, a network of dark meditation retreat sanctuaries. A seasoned entrepreneur, he has founded and exited five companies across biotechnology, renewable energy, and electric vehicles in private and public markets.
While earning his MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, Ian was introduced to yoga and meditation. He later explored Transcendental Meditation, Self-Realization Fellowship, Eckankar, Mudrashram, and the Bridge Path. In 2001, he traveled to Allahabad, India, for the Maha Kumbh Mela before entering a year of seclusion, during which he meditated for up to eight hours daily.
Ian has written six books related to esoteric teachings and spent two years working at the Esalen Institute. In 2023, he founded the Church of the Acraya to support the development of dark meditation retreat centers worldwide. He lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, with his wife and children and maintains a daily meditation practice.
Epoisode Links:
Explore The Acraya and receive 5% off with code 3WAVE
Additional Episode Sponsors:
The Psychedelic Practitioner Certification by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-367/?ref=278
Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes."
Disclaimer: This episode is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical, psychological, or legal advice. Any views, experiences, or claims expressed by the guest are his own and do not necessarily represent those of Third Wave or The Psychedelic Podcast.

In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin welcomes TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie for an honest conversation about depression, psychedelics, recovery, and the lifelong need to prove his worth.
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-366/?ref=278
Blake explains how an early ayahuasca experience gave him the sense that he had already done enough, even though he had not yet learned to feel that he was enough. He shares what followed after selling TOMS, including a profound depression, a psychiatric diagnosis he later came to question, four medications, and a carefully supported nine-month taper.
Paul and Blake also discuss the daily meditation practice that helped reshape his relationship with self-worth, the return of his entrepreneurial energy, his $100 million commitment to psychedelic research and access, and why the future of psychedelic care will require scalable integration, group support, and careful use of emerging AI tools.
Blake Mycoskie is the founder of TOMS and creator of the One for One movement, which provided more than 100 million pairs of shoes to children in need. After selling TOMS and navigating a profound depression, he founded WE ARE ENOUGH, a movement supporting mental health organizations and challenging the belief that worth depends on achievement. Blake is also the host of the No Magic Pill podcast and has pledged $100 million to psychedelic research and access. Today, he brings his renewed entrepreneurial energy to ventures including Morning Water and Moovlab.
Highlights:
Building TOMS through the One for One model
Ayahuasca and the feeling of having done enough
Depression, misdiagnosis, and psychiatric medication tapering
Reworking the belief of never being enough
Entrepreneurship and purpose after recovery
Funding psychedelic research and access
Scaling integration through group support
AI therapy and psychedelic integration
Episode Links:
Blake's Website: https://blakemycoskie.com/
We Are Enough: https://weareenough.co/
No Magic Pill: https://nomagicpill.com/
Morning Water: https://morningwater.co/
Episode Sponsors:
The Psychedelic Practitioner Certification by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute
Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes.
Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

In this solo episode, Paul F. Austin offers a candid introduction to 5-MeO-DMT, one of the shortest and most intense psychedelic experiences.
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-365/?ref=278
Paul distinguishes synthetic 5-MeO-DMT from Bufo, compares it with N,N-DMT and psilocybin, and examines the risks that social media narratives often leave out. He also explores low-dose versus breakthrough work, nervous system readiness, medication interactions, facilitator screening, reactivations, ecological responsibility, and why integration may matter far more than the experience itself.
Paul F. Austin is an entrepreneur, educator, and pioneer in the psychedelic field. He is the founder of Third Wave, a leading platform dedicated to psychedelic education, and the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, which trains coaches and practitioners to responsibly support psychedelic experiences and integration. As host of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul has interviewed hundreds of researchers, clinicians, Indigenous wisdom keepers, entrepreneurs, and cultural innovators. His work focuses on psychedelics, leadership, personal development, mental health, and cultural transformation.
Highlights:
5-MeO-DMT beyond the social media hype
Synthetic 5-MeO-DMT versus Bufo
How 5-MeO differs from N,N-DMT
Low-dose work versus complete ego dissolution
Why nervous system readiness matters
Medication interactions and physical safety
How to evaluate a 5-MeO facilitator
Why integration outlasts the experience
Episode Links:
The Psychedelic Practitioner Certification by Third Wave's Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
Third Wave's Ultimate Guide to 5-MeO-DMT
Disclaimer: This content is for educational, informational, and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or encourage the illegal use of any controlled substances. Nothing said here is medical or legal advice. Always consult a qualified medical or mental health professional before making decisions related to your health. The views expressed herein belong to the speaker alone, and do not reflect the views of any other person, company, or organization.

In this special replay of a past Psychedelic Coaching Institute webinar, Paul F. Austin is joined by Victoria J. Cvitanovic, attorney and leader of the Psychedelic Medicine and AI Governance practices at Rudick Law Group, for a practical conversation on how AI is reshaping psychedelic practice.
Find full show notes and links here: https://thethirdwave.co/podcast/episode-364/?ref=278
Together, Paul and Victoria explore why psychedelic content can get flagged online, how automated moderation systems are changing what practitioners can safely post, and why educational content may still be misread by platforms like Meta. They also discuss payment processor risk, account freezes, client data privacy, AI note-taking tools, website compliance, and the legal nuance practitioners need to understand before building or growing their work online.
Victoria J. Cvitanovic is a psychedelic medicine, cannabis, wellness, and tech attorney. In addition to her law degree, Victoria holds CIPP-US and AIGP certifications from the International Association of Privacy Professionals. She leads the Psychedelic Medicine and AI Governance practices at Rudick Law Group, where she also serves as the firm's Data Privacy Officer. Her work covers cybersecurity, data privacy, AI governance, regulatory compliance, corporate formation, licensing, and healthcare integration.
Highlights:
AI moderation and psychedelic content
Why psychedelic posts get flagged online
Posting about psychedelics responsibly
Payment processors and risk reviews
What to do when funds freeze
Data privacy in client work
AI tools and practitioner liability
Website compliance basics
Episode Links: 
Rudick Law Group
Psychedelic Coaching Institute
Episode Sponsors:   
The Practitioner Certification Program by The Psychedelic Coaching Institute.
Golden Rule - Get a lifetime discount of 10% with code THIRDWAVE at checkout
Third Wave occasionally partners with or shares information about other people, companies, and/or providers. While we work hard to only share information about ethical and responsible third parties, we can't and don't control the behavior of, products and services offered by, or the statements made by people, companies, or providers other than Third Wave. Accordingly, we encourage you to research for yourself, and consult a medical, legal, or financial professional before making decisions in those areas. Third Wave isn't responsible for the statements, conduct, services, or products of third parties. If we share a coupon code, we may receive a commission from sales arising from customers who use our coupon code. No one is required to use our coupon codes."