S2 - 014 - Marieke McKenna - Altered States on Consciousness on the border between Science & Art

In this episode we spoke Jan Schilthuizen, Ellie Copeland & Nia Gohlke . Jan and Ellie are the founders and together with Nia form the core team behind the multidisciplinary space & community called Cloud. As described by themselves: "We are a gallery, cafe and store that showcases works by artists, makers and brands that challenge our perspectives and open our minds to new ways of seeing and being." This conversation is in light of their beautiful exhibition & program named "Fundamental Funghi". As the title reveals, a very deep homage to all that is Funghi, fusing immersive experiences in art, music, lectures, workshops, and culinary events. In our conversation we hear Eli, Nia & Jan all share their background stories, their deep connection with the mushrooms, how Cloud came to be as we know it today and obviously their beautiful, and still ongoing, exhibition "Fundamental Funghi". For more information about Cloud and Fundamental Funghi, please check out the link below: www.cloudamsterdam.com/fundamental-fungi And follow them on Instagram for more detailed updates! www.instagram.com/cloudamsterdam

In this episode we spoke Jasmine Karimova. Jasmine is an Amsterdam based composer & performer, with a BA in Classical Composition from the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and having her roots in Tajikistan, Australia and the United Kingdom. In our beautiful conversation we spoke about: Her journey in music Her Tajikistan roots & its Soviet influence Disney's Fantasia & ballet Visual music Discovering inner worlds & landscapes Defining what is "home" "Trauma not transformed is trauma transferred" The time of Corona and microdosing Going with the tides & the waves The added voice of the mushroom Our relationship to Death The church and the world of the Organ (Re)discovering taking psychedelics in old institutions Musical modes Follow the Mushroom concert..? The old philosophy and mathematical structure of music (De)coding Shostakovich's hidden message Current musical fascinations & exploring Tajik roots The standard curriculum and venturing outside "Music is just everywhere" Symphonic music as an psychedelic experience Our (limiting) modern day attention span Finding solace in composition Not talking about John Cage SHOWNOTES Short film ‘Fi-Fu’: Gubaidulina transformation/creation quote Gubaidulina tree analogy: (1,00) Jane Goodall on death Sofia Gubaidulina Saarijaho Shostakovich - Symphony no. 10 George Crumb Stravinsky's Orpheus Janáček - The Cunning Little Vixen Pitou Richard Ayres Willem Jeths Tajik percussion/dance Laura Marling Apex Ensemble Liza Lim: About – Liza Lim  Kate Milligan: KATE MILLIGAN • Composer | Designer | Musicologist John Adams Podcast: This Classical Life ------- Jasmine Karimova https://www.jasminekarimova.com

In this episode we spoke with Marieke McKenna. Marieke studied philosophy and history of science at the the University of Amsterdam, the University of Glasgow and Utrecht University. She is interested in metaphysics, phenomenology, philosophy of mind, philosophy of physics, and consciousness studies. Her recent research focuses on historical, cross-cultural and philosophical perspectives on (lucid) dreaming, as well as the history of the scientific & academic study thereof. By combining an interdisciplinary oral history approach, hands on experience in a laboratory setting, historical analysis and philosophical reflection, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the spectrum of consciousness, specifically the phenomenology of dreaming (which is related to daydreaming, ideation, and creativity). Outside academia, Marieke, works as an dj, artist, creative entrepreneur, label owner of Mink Records, curator, lecturer, and programme maker, having your podcast “Roots & Threads” regarding ethnomusicology and most recently your own radio show on NPO Soul & Jazz at Round Midnight. In this beautiful conversation, we spoke about: Marieke’s Scottish roots and her spiritual & emotional inheritance of this ancient land The importance of a holistic and truly open educational system Having deeply profound (mystical) experiences and how to make sense of these in the context of a standard reductionist, brain focussed world view The history of research on dreaming and dreams as the most common of altered states of consciousness The evolution of science, its severance with Nature and the deep importance of spiritually interacting with Nature once again Her inspirations and influences Meta Modernism, A.I. and the history of technology Spiritual narcissism v.s. hands-on spirituality Interdisciplinary Conference on Psychedelic Research (ICPR - 2024), the assumptions v.s the reality of attending Psychedelic Academia, the novelty of the field and the massive lack of research regarding having an explicit focus on women Dream research, today and the future

In this episode, Stef & Mattijs have another check in with each other. Diving into and exploring the overall theme of “mycelial thinking”, we dive into topics like; Mandelbrot & fractals, the mycelial connection between Stef & Matthijs, sense making in a world of chaos, the hubris of human centricity, Stef’s love and focus on Lion’s Mane, experimenting with new Lion’s Mane products, (losing) the sixth sense of understanding Nature’s medicine, Sheldrake’s “Morphic Resonance” and Jung’s “Collective (Un)conscious”, Rick Rubin’s creativity and asshole René Descartes split of body & soul, A.I. as the modern times genie, the Intelligence behind Chaos and fractals, how Chaos within A.I. makes it so fascinating, the relativity of perceived time, the intensity of Salvia, Bufo, Kratom, meeting ancestors with Amanita Muscaria, tonsure haircuts of monks and tripping by putting Amanita on the bald spot, the upcoming collab of Leeway Tools & Prima Materia…

For Adrien’s 2nd appearance on FTM, he suggested to flip roles and ask Stef and Matthijs a couple of questions regarding their own personal projects and perspectives. The conversation turned into a deep dive around consciousness, the enlightenment, artificial intelligence, non-human intelligence, being an “entrepreneur” and alchemy.    Adrien currently works as a design researcher with a focus on eco-social sustainability. He is assistant professor at the Royal Danish Academy and president of the NGO design studio thr34d5.

Saskia is a forager based in Rotterdam. In her work she helps people get familiar with plants, herbs and mushrooms. All while staying true to her cultural and activistic roots, to equally teach and make people aware of what is currently happening to our planet.  We talked with Saskia about many topics, including about her background in culture and journalism, her path towards foraging, early spring, corpse smelling penis mushrooms, fytotherapy VS homeopathy, saying goodbye to an animal, the liberty cap mushroom, activism in Nature and the importance of scientific evidence within the rising trend of herbalism and an inherent esoteric vagueness. Saskia Boer Instagram https://www.instagram.com/boer.saskia Outsiders website https://www.outsidersforaging.com Outsiders Instagram https://www.instagram.com/outsiders.foraging Show notes: Invasive Californian death caps develop mushrooms unisexually and bisexually https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-42317-z#:~:text=phalloides%20in%20California%20is%20likely,natural%20population%20of%20death%20caps Mycotherapiehttps://zenchi.eu/product/basiscursus-werken-met-paddenstoelen-ofwel-basiscursus-mycotherapie/ Herba Sanitas https://herbasanitas.nl/ Breading Sweetgrass braiding sweetgrass - Google Search Psilocybe Liniformans psilocybe liniformans - Google Search Homeopathie en fytotherapie Homeopathie en fytotherapie producten kopen? Groot Assortime Japanese Knotweed Rhizome Bark Extract Inhibits Live SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9495978/#:~:text=SPR%20results%20showed%20a%20specific,and%20data%20mining%20%5B62%5D Officinalis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officinalis Mellie Uylderthttps://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mellie_Uyldert

On this episode we talked with Adrien Rigobello who’s currently a PhD candidate at the Centre for Information Technology and Architecture at the Royal Danish Academy. As a designer and engineer, with a specialization in fermentation and eco-social design, Adrien has deep roots in the global maker community and participates in the creation of a growing number of scientific publications. We discussed vernacular architecture, mycelium based packaging material, terroir, non human collaborations the importance of knowledge platforms and so much more.  Adrien Rigobello https://adrienrigobello.com/about Thr34d5 https://thr34d5.org/ Articles  https://scholar.google.fr/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&hl=en&user=c-zzNykAAAAJ

In this episode we talk to Carl Ruck, professor in the Classical Studies department at Boston University. He received his B.A. at Yale University, his M.A. at the University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. at Harvard University. Carl Ruck is best known for his work, along with other scholars, in mythology and religion on the sacred role of entheogens, or psychoactive plants that induce an altered state of consciousness, as used in religious or shamanistic rituals. His focus has been on the use of entheogens in classical western culture, as well as their historical influence on modern western religions. Carl wrote many groundbreaking books, including "The Road to Eleusis: Unveiling the Secret of the Mysteries" which he co-authored with Albert Hoffman and Gordon Wasson. Follow Matthijs: @matthijs_ideas Follow Stef: @jack_nl

In this episode we talk with Gino van Dam aka JEANS; dj, producer, label owner of Oracle Bones, programmer at PIP Den Haag and unintended modern day medicine man. In this open hearted conversation, we talk about how Gino’s formative past paved a way for curiosity, exploration, betterment and healing, in which the mushroom has (and still is) been playing a leading role. Resulting in Gino becoming one of the most deeply respected figures in his scene, both for his refined relationship with music as well as him as a human being. SHOWNOTE: This conversation is held in Dutch, honouring the request of Gino of him feeling more comfortable and expressive in his native tongue. JEANS https://www.instagram.com/jeans_audio/ Orcale Bones https://theoraclebones.bandcamp.com/album/talking-to-the-entities PIP Den Haag https://pipdenhaag.nl/

In this episode, Matthijs and Stef share a conversation with each other after a perfect 6 months (1 solstice) hiatus. An organic conversation that covers deeper stories like consciousness, the meaning of “death” and the relevance of modern day ceremonies. Equally touching topics on how our own businesses (Leeway & Prima Materia) came about and have been progressing in these last months! Follow Matthijs: @matthijs_ideas Follow Stef: @jack_nl