PsychedelicIQ

In this vulnerable and expansive episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, host Gv Freeman takes the mic as a guest, interviewed by Wilde Lawson-King. Together, they explore Gv’s journey from Nebraska to Peru, from corporate burnout to spiritual awakening, and how that journey shaped his work as a coach, ceremonialist, and author of Healing with Psychedelics. Topics include personal transformation, trauma healing, medicine lineage, the creation of the Psychedelic Safety Wheel, and the bridge between science and spirituality. A must-listen for guides, seekers, and anyone serious about integration, ethics, and personal growth.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction to the “reverse episode” and guest host Wilde Lawson-King[01:12] Meeting at Psychedelic Science and 150-person breathwork session[02:15] Gv’s background: corporate career, queer identity, and growing up in Nebraska[07:31] Early trauma, substance use, and becoming a foreign exchange student[08:40] Cruise ship DJ, rave culture, and eventual transition to tech[09:47] First therapy experience in 2012 and the beginning of inner healing[10:50] Psychodrama, EMDR, psychoanalysis, and getting sober in 2007[11:55] Discovering psychedelics in 2015 and journey to Peru[12:26] Coaching, ceremony work, and founding the Conscious Shala[14:31] Learning to feel anger and sadness through therapy[17:00] Psychodrama as a method to reconnect with suppressed emotions[20:13] Gv’s spiritual path: childhood curiosity, yoga, and bhakti influence[22:00] Yoga teacher training with Saul David Raye and its life-changing impact[23:44] Serendipitous moments of grace: from AA dances to spiritual teachers[24:36] Introduction to Advaita Vedanta and study with Jyoti Shom[25:00] First shamanic journey and encountering the divine feminine[26:39] Early ayahuasca experiences in Peru and connection to his current lineage[27:59] Becoming an assistant in a retreat and initiation into shamanic apprenticeship[29:10] Spiritual emergency and the concept of “shamanic sickness”[31:15] Moving from hosting ceremonies to trip sitting and space holding[33:00] “Spotter not guide”—philosophy of support without hierarchy[34:37] Receiving the name Govindass and training in LSD facilitation[36:56] Shift to MDMA and mushrooms after LSD hit a plateau[38:01] Current practice and church container using mushrooms[39:52] Advice to new facilitators: go slow, be asked, train deeply, and stay humble[41:22] Writing Healing with Psychedelics: the practical and spiritual origin[42:33] From blog post to book: developing the Psychedelic Safety Wheel[45:18] Medicine journeys that catalyzed deep energetic transformation[50:49] Receiving the “tools to love” during a Wachuma heart surgery[52:17] Writing 60,000 words in 6 weeks after spiritual permission was granted[54:01] Overview of the 12 spokes in the Psychedelic Safety Wheel[56:07] Difference between integration (understanding) and activation (action)[59:13] Human responsibility and karma-clearing through action[01:02:35] Who the book is for: beginners, curious seekers, and those who’ve been harmed[01:04:14] Three psychedelic safety “containers” throughout history[01:07:12] Bottom-up harm reduction and empowering seekers over systems[01:08:23] Red flags, green flags, and the questions to ask your facilitator[01:11:41] Resource announcement: upcoming workbook and live training[01:13:29] The missing appendix that became Chapter 1: how psychedelics heal[01:16:56] Psychedelics as energy cleansers—vibration, trauma, and consciousness[01:20:08] Atman and inner healing intelligence—bridging Grof and Vedanta[01:22:25] Paradox of being both 100% human and 100% divine[01:23:20] The sacred and the secular—how it all comes together in the bookGv FreemanWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramFree eBook: Beginner’s Guide to PsychedelicsGv Freeman is an opti-mystic, tipper of sacred cows, and dynamic force in the world of human transformation. As a transformational coach and facilitator, he teaches his clients to use centuries-old tools to solve modern-day problems. With one foot in the sacred and the other in the secular, Gv offers a unique blend of coaching and Sacred Medicine work to help individuals “unstuck” themselves in pursuit of purpose, prosperity, happiness, and freedom.After two decades as a serial entrepreneur, Gv's life now forms a Venn diagram of psychedelics, spirituality, mental health, and entrepreneurship. Having been initiated into an ancient Peruvian medicine lineage, Gv now studies under the direction of maestro Roberto Flores Solís. Gv, short for Govind Dass (a name given to him by his first teacher, Ram Dass), has also been a devoted student of Advaita Vedanta, yoga, and somatic psychotherapy.He is the visionary behind PsychedelicIQ and the Conscious Shala, and when he's not leading retreats or being a spiritual tourist, Gv is a foodie, lover of all things music, and deeply cherishes his time with friends and soul family. Healing with Psychedelics is his first book. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this playful yet powerful episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Dr. Betty Martin—creator of the Wheel of Consent—joins host Gv Freeman to explore boundaries, touch, and trust in therapeutic and psychedelic relationships. Drawing on decades of experience as a chiropractor, somatic sex educator, and consent expert, Betty unpacks the four quadrants of the Wheel, shares how to create empowered agreements, and reveals the biggest mistakes practitioners make. A must-listen for any guide navigating intimacy, ethics, and embodied healing. Subscribe for more grounded wisdom on psychedelics, integration, and personal growth.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction and warm welcome to Dr. Betty Martin[01:12] Betty’s background in chiropractic, sex education, and sacred intimacy[03:00] Intention for the conversation: fun, depth, and presence[04:38] The origin of the Wheel of Consent and the Three-Minute Game[06:28] What the game reveals: confusion, clarity, consent, and embodiment[07:59] The Wheel “rolling around the world” as a framework for human relating[09:44] Global difficulty saying yes/no—especially around pleasure and help[11:46] How childhood conditioning wires us for compliance over authenticity[14:24] Healing happens relationally—some work must be done in connection[16:20] Symptoms of over-giving: resentment, projection, burnout[20:36] Learning to pause and notice: “Is this a gift I can give with a full heart?”[21:38] Brene Brown wisdom: choose discomfort over resentment[22:41] Overview of the four quadrants: Serve, Take, Accept, Allow[28:34] Building body-awareness of “yes,” “no,” and healthy limits[33:12] Why we don’t recommend playing the game sexually (at first)[34:48] Slowing down, creating safety, and training personal responsibility[35:56] Full heart vs. desire—how to discern genuine generosity[37:33] Manipulation disguised as giving—watching for covert contracts[40:05] Shadow sides of the Wheel: martyrdom, groping, victimhood, entitlement[43:35] Consent vs. real agreement—beyond “just say yes”[46:33] Practitioner quadrant: Serve—leaving your desires at the door[50:15] Avoiding the “just get permission” model—why asking is not enough[52:28] Co-creating safe support agreements before altered states[55:00] Why clients can narrow agreements but not expand them mid-journey[58:07] What to do when the facilitator becomes attracted to the client[01:00:27] Erotic maturity = shelving your own desire when in service[01:03:25] The “three yeses”: verbal, body, and gut[01:04:35] Biggest mistake? Practitioners not knowing the power they hold[01:07:50] Teaching clients how to ask—supporting their discomfort with slowness[01:10:44] The real magic = helping clients come alive at their own pace[01:12:16] Advice: Meet your emotional and sensual needs before holding space[01:14:13] What the Wheel taught Betty: Shut up and listen to people’s wants[01:15:35] Resources: Book, trainings, free videos at schoolofconsent.org[01:16:23] Contact: bettymartin.orgBetty MartinEmail | Website | Instagram | FacebookFree Chapter from the Wheel of ConsentBetty spent her childhood in a large family and her youth in experimental communities, learning about people in more groups than she can count. Founding a co-housing community with countless hours of meetings taught her the value of excellent facilitation. Now she enjoys helping others learn the skills she picked up along the way.She graduated Chiropractic College in 1976 and practiced for almost 30 years, including several body-mind integration modalities. She has taught Peer Counseling for teens and adults, Educational Kinesiology and other bodywork for professionals, sexuality workshops for women, gender liberation, and boundary and communication workshops of many flavors, including Cuddle Party.After retiring from her Chiropractic practice on Vashon Island, she moved into Seattle and opened a private practice as a relationship and intimacy coach, where she guided people through somatic experiences, sometimes erotic and sometimes not, so they could learn how to be comfortable in their own skin and experience pleasure in ways that supported their development.It was during those years of working with hundreds of people that she noticed and developed the Wheel of Consent, a practice and a model of taking apart receiving and giving. She started sharing her experience with other practitioners and developed the 5-day training, Like a Pro, focusing on the Wheel, communication and professional standards.In 2018 she co-founded the School of Consent, where she has trained numerous facilitators of Wheel of Consent workshops, and a handful of faculty to teach Like a Pro. She is happily handing over teaching to those she has trained, and these days contributes to other organizations’ trainings and presents to various professional groups. She also enjoys offering supervision and mentoring to practitioners.She once again lives in community and is the proud mom of 3 and grandma of 2. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this heart-centered episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Dr. Neil Hanon—a psychiatrist, educator, and Grof Legacy trainer—shares his profound journey from personal tragedy to pioneering psychedelic healing. After the loss of his son, Neil turned to holotropic breathwork and eventually became a lead trainer for the Grof Psychedelic Training Academy. This conversation explores grief, the ethics of underground facilitation, the importance of integration, and honoring one’s lineage in psychedelic work. Tune in for insights on mental health, therapy, spiritual emergence, and personal growth in the psychedelic space. Subscribe for more grounded, practical, and sacred conversations.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction and Neil’s background as a psychiatrist and breathwork facilitator[03:00] Neil’s intention: educating guides and healers in safe and effective psychedelic practices[04:48] The death of Neil’s son and how grief led him to Stan Grof and holotropic breathwork[06:43] Attending his first breathwork with Stan and Christina Grof at Wisdom University[08:23] Perinatal matrices and Neil’s powerful healing experience[12:00] The importance of lineage and mentorship in psychedelic healing work[14:17] Overview of Grof Psychedelic Training Academy: structure, breathwork, and certification[20:13] Importance of integration, bodywork, and the completion of psychological material[23:00] Ketamine-assisted therapy done with a psychedelic mindset and sacred intention[30:25] Understanding grief as a diagnosable disorder and the founding of Jamaica Grief Retreats[33:35] Ancestral work and calling on one’s own lineage for guidance in the healing process[35:18] The legacy of Stan Grof and his contributions to psychedelic cartography[44:41] The role of integration in moving from psychedelic “tripping” to sustainable healing[50:15] Training programs, ethics, and professionalism in underground psychedelic work[59:00] Distinguishing a “bad trip” from a “challenging but healing journey”[01:14:53] Modular training structure and the use of Stan’s recorded teachings[01:22:49] Who the Grof Training is for: professionals with a college and assistants[01:30:25] Speed round: Why Neil does this work and the most important lesson it’s taught him[01:33:05] Contact details and closing gratitudeNeil HanonEmail | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Neil Hanon MD, FRCPC, is a psychiatrist based in Kelowna. He holds the position of Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and serves as the Director of Year 3 in the Southern Medical Program of UBC at Kelowna General Hospital. With over two decades of clinical and didactic teaching experience since 1996, Dr. Hanon specializes in holistic patient care, emphasizing a bio/psycho/social/spiritual approach. Dr. Hanon is a founding board member of the Ketamine Assisted Therapy Association (KATA) of Canada and contributed to developing guidelines for outpatient ketamine-assisted psychotherapy. Dr. Hanon got involved in Holotropic Breathwork first as a participant to help with his grief after the death of his 17-year-old son. He discovered that conventional psychology and psychiatry had no coherent strategy to help him in his grief. Through extensive reading, he discovered Stan Grof’s writing on novel theories of the human psyche and was able to attend a breathwork retreat led by Stan and Christina Grof. He found the breathwork to be so beneficial for his grief that he continued training and in 2015, became certified as a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator. Driven by his own journey, Dr. Hanon developed a keen interest in treating grief and spiritual emergence. He co-founded Relief for Grief, which evolved into Jamaica Grief Retreats, offering legal psilocybin mushroom journeys to parents who have lost a child. In 2021, Dr.Hanon was invited by Stan and Brigitte Grof to co-lead the Canadian arm of Grof Legacy Training International. In late 2023, Grof Legacy Training Canada separated into breathwork and psychedelic streams. Dr. Hanon continues to lead the Psychedelic Training Program in Canada, and with his extensive background in curriculum development and teaching skills, he has developed the coursework to include an emphasis on its application to psychedelic medicine work.Grof Legacy Psychedelic Training in Canada is taught under the name “Grof Psychedelic Training Academy” to reflect both its academic and practical content. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this spiritually rich episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Gv Freeman speaks with David Luce—a Zen monk, ayahuasca apprentice, somatic therapist, and meditation teacher—about the sacred overlap between psychedelics, Eastern traditions, and Western psychology. David shares profound insights on meditation, subtle energy, trauma, and the importance of apprenticeship and personal experience. They also explore spiritual awakening, healing philosophy, and what it means to work for the client while serving God. A must-listen for facilitators on the path of personal growth, integration, and holistic healing. Subscribe for more grounded wisdom.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction: Mystic traditions, psychedelic healing, and a unified thread[01:37] David’s background: orphaned teen, Buddhist monk, plant medicine seeker[02:11] Training in Zen, Tibetan Buddhism, Amazonian ayahuasca, and somatic therapy[03:30] Intention for the episode: to benefit guides and healers[04:53] Interweaving paths of meditation, psychedelics, and Western psychology[05:55] “Somatic psychedelics”—exploring healing in the body and subtle energy field[07:25] Suffering as the catalyst for spiritual and psychedelic paths[10:18] David’s first mystical experience: cannabis and spinning into the light[12:43] Wachuma, seasickness, and spiritual discombobulation[14:18] Maración: the moment of mystical nausea and separation[16:46] “Stick the landing”: integration and re-combobulation[17:31] Four years in Korea as a Zen monk—bridging mysticism and daily life[18:39] LSD psychotherapy leading to ayahuasca apprenticeship in the jungle[19:59] Meeting the spirit of ayahuasca—and healing clinical depression[21:51] “Your consciousness wasn’t in your body, so I put it back in.”[23:20] Bodhisattva medicine work—healing through service, not ego[25:52] Medicine, mysticism, and psychology as a multidimensional healing path[28:06] Earth connection, nature as teacher, and the modern need for reconnection[30:00] Non-conceptual awareness and changing internal narratives[31:38] Meditation and psychedelics: cultivating altered states and emotional space[33:40] Micro-meditations within a journey—“coming up for air”[35:28] Meditation as a skillful container for guides and clients alike[37:20] A “trained user” model—medicine as a long-term spiritual practice[39:59] Importance of direct experience for facilitators before serving others[41:50] Dietas, purification, and soul-strengthening in apprenticeship[43:33] Intersubjectivity, trust, and clients sensing your experience[47:24] Above-ground vs underground facilitation—who is doing their own work?[50:18] Receiving permission from the medicine vs. from human teachers[53:30] Using meditation as an integration tool—simple somatic practices[55:21] Meditation resources: Soma Sangha, Reggie Ray, Will Johnson[57:34] Belly breathing and the wisdom of relaxing into awareness[58:29] When clients don’t know how to breathe—start with the body[59:44] Interoception: helping clients feel their bodies and stay grounded[01:03:00] “Original people” traditions of embodied mindfulness through living[01:04:45] David’s take on psychedelics and Kriya Yoga compatibility[01:07:32] Teachers’ perspectives: attachment, insight, and path orientation[01:09:34] When the friction shows up, it may be time to move on from medicine[01:10:33] Healing vs awakening—is there a difference?[01:11:52] “I want to see”—on lifelong curiosity and the spirit of discovery[01:12:57] Meditation and medicine each uncover shadow and support each other[01:14:53] Vipassana, 1500 hours, and the difference between thinking and stillness[01:16:09] Subtle body, energy flow, and how psychedelics open new channels[01:18:22] What to do when atheists have spiritual awakenings in ceremony[01:20:33] Using “energy body” or “emotional body” instead of spiritual language[01:23:00] Just treat it as a phenomenon—describe, don’t explain[01:24:00] Do plants have spirits? Or do spirits come through plants?[01:26:24] All spirits serve God—medicine beings as agents of the divine[01:27:33] LSD as the Tao; Stan Grof’s “beneficial nonspecific amplifiers”[01:29:09] Two overlooked medicines: huachuma and cannabis[01:31:53] Cannabis as sacred or numbing—right relationship is key[01:34:06] Tobacco at the center of the medicine wheel—poison or prayerDavid LuceWebsiteI was born in the Bay Area just in time for the 1960s. Like many people, I experienced much suffering in my early life, which culminated in my being orphaned as a teenager. In my search for a response to all of my pain, I discovered Buddhism, Taoism, and Plant Medicines at the age of 15. I’ve spent my life since then practicing these intertwining paths as deeply as possible.After a short encounter with an Ivy League University, I spent 16 years living in Zen and Tibetan Buddhist dharma centers, including 4 years as a Zen monk in Asia. I’ve practiced in 7 years of cumulative retreat, which led me to 4 years of solitary retreat in a cabin here in the mountains of Northern California. My practice has been guided by masters of the Buddhist and Taoist traditions.As part of my medicine path, I spent 3 years in the Amazon training with traditional healers and I also completed a long apprenticeship in the western approach to medicine work. I am trained in Hakomi Mindful Somatic Psychology, Acupressure Massage, and Hypnotherapy. I am a teacher in the Hollow Bamboo School of Meditation and have also been given permission to teach by Zen Master Dae Bong Su Nim.My many paths combined naturally with a love of nature, writing, music, language, and travel to distant lands and cultures of many kinds. For me, this work is a remembering, an awakening, and—first and always—a path of the heart.In 2005 I founded Two Rivers Sangha, dedicated to the meeting of the Buddhist path with earth wisdom traditions.I currently live in the San Francisco Bay Area. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this intimate and practical episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, host Gv Freeman speaks with holistic therapist and psychedelic doula Benedicte Mannix. With over 30 years of global experience and a client-centered, non-directive approach, Benedicte shares her full psilocybin protocol—from screening and preparation to session design and integration. They discuss trauma, somatics, safety, ethics, and the power of agnostic, trust-centered facilitation. A must-listen for guides seeking grounded, ethical, and deeply personalized psychedelic healing. Subscribe to explore the diverse ways this work is practiced around the world.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction to Season 3’s shift toward practical facilitation[01:15] Guest intro: Benedicte Mannix—holistic therapist with a global background[02:39] Her intention: to teach through sharing real-life psychedelic experience[03:42] Specializing in developmental and childhood trauma[05:01] Why she prefers one-on-one retreats and how they differ from single sessions[06:20] The role of a pre-session: building safety and informed choice[08:39] Protocol insight: clients only pay for the pre-session initially to preserve autonomy[09:00] Personal background: trauma, self-medication, 40 years of psychedelic use[11:57] Studying Rogerian therapy and sophrology—blending somatic and client-centered tools[13:33] Festival risk reduction work and non-intrusive sitting techniques[14:19] Explanation of Rogerian therapy and systemic/transgenerational influences[17:20] Therapy = helping people align body, mind, and soul[19:15] Why she uses the term “psilocybin doula” over “guide” or “healer”[20:33] Philosophy: clients are the experts of their own experience[22:56] No one can predict how someone will respond to a psychedelic[24:42] Choosing dosage: “Would you rather be overwhelmed or underwhelmed?”[26:28] Holding space for high-dose requests, including risk-informed boundaries[29:43] Why five grams is her usual starting point and the importance of mushroom potency[31:37] Full process: self-disclosure, building trust, and asking “Why now?”[34:34] Trauma as the root of many mental health challenges[36:28] Guided meditation and dream-prep before dosing[39:12] Revisiting intentions on the day of the experience[42:06] No ceremony, no music—an agnostic, client-centered protocol[44:31] Training others to “find their own way”[45:02] Focus on self-connection over external stimulation[48:16] Holding a womb-like space rooted in the safe mother archetype[51:00] Non-directive model: letting the substance and the client lead[52:56] The danger of re-dosing too early and trusting delayed reactions[54:38] A powerful story: a doctor believing he was having a heart attack[57:48] Holding safety even in intense psychological projections[59:56] Reflections on nurses, safety, and psilocybin as a non-dangerous substance[01:03:13] Integration begins: unfolding the dream and transforming it into life[01:05:00] Why she asks clients to commit to three personal actions post-journey[01:06:52] On traumatic memories and past lives—staying grounded, not interpretive[01:09:30] Final reflections on ethics, humility, and self-trust in facilitation[01:13:17] A client story: 17-year-old woman off her medications after one session[01:15:35] Most important lesson: “I know nothing.”[01:16:05] Advice to new facilitators: share your own experience, trust yourself, keep growing[01:17:59] Offering a free session and support through her website: sophrodelic.comBenedict MannixEmail | Website | LinkedIn | Facebook I am a positive and enthusiastic person, forever in search of truth and happiness. I believe in the immense potential of human beings and that every person is beautiful. In more than 30 years travelling the world I have met many people from different cultures and have learned a lot from them. I realised long ago that what makes people happy, more than anything else, is to be free. Everybody has the power to achieve whatever goals they can imagine and my role as a therapist is to help people know themselves to achieve them. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Gv Freeman welcomes Cory Firth—psychedelic safety advocate and co-founder of NUMA and FIVE—to explore the future of psychedelic harm reduction. They discuss the critical gap in psychedelic safety training, the emotional journey of fatherhood and legacy through men’s retreats, and the evolution of functional medicine and integration practices. Tune in to learn about Cory’s work developing psychedelic first aid training, how to differentiate an emergency from an emergence, and how we might responsibly embed psychedelics into mental health, therapy, and personal growth systems. Subscribe for grounded guidance in this rapidly evolving space.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction and welcome[02:05] Cory’s background in communication, advocacy, and early psychedelic nonprofit work[07:45] Involvement with Reunion retreat center and the Psychedelic Association of Canada[09:41] Transition from policy work to grassroots impact in Kingston, Ontario[11:17] Founding NUMA: The Center for Psychedelic Safety and Response[12:53] Creating Canada’s first psychedelic first aid and preparedness program[14:00] Partnership with FIVE to focus on safety and 5-MeO-DMT training[17:21] Training goals: responding to emergence, not just emergencies[18:27] Broadening safety education for clinicians, teachers, first responders, and therapists[20:12] Critique of minimal psychedelic certification requirements[21:00] Lack of safety training in sanctioned clinical research environments[22:05] Vision for immersive, scenario-based safety education using VR and AR[23:22] Reframing “psychedelic first responders” as “psychedelic safety responders”[24:00] Functional medicine as a path to self-understanding[25:00] Citizen science and self-directed diagnostics[26:00] Pivot to fatherhood: how becoming a dad changed Cory’s approach to life and healing[50:57] The trauma of birth and neglected paternal perspectives[52:35] Founding a retreat focused on fatherhood and legacy[53:05] Using psychedelics to cut through emotional barriers and access authentic self[54:11] Transformational story of a military veteran turned father and retreat participant[55:20] Lasting impact: family healing and emotional reconnection[58:00] Rebalancing men’s work to include both shadow and light[59:18] Retreat design: shadow ceremony at night, light ceremony at dawn[01:00:57] Honoring integration through ritual and preparation[01:01:59] Roses, daughters, and the emotional legacy of fatherhood[01:12:53] Cory’s dual work with FIVE (5-MeO safety training) and NUMA (community integration)[01:14:34] Statistics on adverse experiences and ER visits in psychedelic use[01:17:21] Differentiating emergence vs. emergency during psychedelic experiences[01:18:27] Extending safety education to police, paramedics, educators, and therapists[01:20:12] The need for improved training standards and psychedelic literacy across the boardCory FirthWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramI’m an explorer of the natural human ecosystem. I concern myself with the biological, psychological, socio-environmental and spiritual elements that help us optimize our lives for sustainable growth, today and for future generations.After overcoming a 20+ year battle with suicide, I intentionally invest my time and resources into building companies and projects that subvert the current illness-care system including: Journeyman (legacy retreats for fathers), Neuma (psychedelic safety education), F.I.V.E. (resource development for the future of brain health and longevity) – in addition to flow state coaching and microdosing training to empower self-guided protocols for personal evolution.I have spent the last 7 years successfully advocating for mental health reform across the world. I have always been fascinated by the human psyche and currently spend my days investigating the human experience to source out, learn and understand what helps us grow.My newsletter: https://www.coryfirth.com/Neuma First Aid: https://neumacentre.com/psychedelic-first-aid/FIVE Training: https://five-meo.education/5-meo-dmt-facilitator-training/ Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this intimate and essential episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Gv Freeman sits down with intimacy and embodiment coach Ted Riter to explore the intersections of psychedelics, sex, intimacy, and trust. With over 30 years as a rabbi and relationship guide, Ted brings wisdom and nuance to working with couples and individuals in altered states. Together, they unpack boundaries, consent, embodiment, trauma-informed facilitation, and what it means to be truly trustable as a guide. A must-listen for practitioners navigating the sacred terrain of psychedelic healing and personal growth. Subscribe for more grounded and practical guidance.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction: psychedelics, sex, and intimacy—a complex and necessary conversation[01:14] Guest intro: Ted Riter’s background as a spiritual leader and relationship coach[02:42] How Ted works with individuals and couples before, during, and after medicine sessions[05:11] Somatic work, tantra, and energetic communication in relationship healing[06:57] What a typical session looks like—beyond just “a day of ceremony”[09:40] Using psychedelics as a tool—not a solution—for deeper relational work[11:42] Practicing communication and vulnerability before the medicine[14:00] Common outcomes: conversations people didn’t know they needed to have[17:07] Deepening connection and integration months after the session[20:00] Ted’s personal story: shame, shadow, sexuality, and healing through embodiment[23:59] From rabbi to relationship coach: intimacy as a form of world-healing[25:37] Introduction to medicine work: starting with mushrooms and curiosity[26:24] Clarifying embodiment, sexuality, and intimacy—and how they intersect[31:42] Sexuality vs. sensuality and understanding energetic boundaries[35:19] Doing your own work: shame, taboos, and the role of accountability[38:42] Key questions for facilitators: Where are you untrustable? What are your limits?[41:55] Creating clear agreements, setting internal and external boundaries[43:41] The importance of sticking to agreements—even when things get tempting[45:38] Responding to experienced facilitators wanting to add sexuality work[47:53] Transference, power dynamics, and the danger of rushing in[49:54] “Are you ready to be responsible for someone’s life?”[51:32] Ram Dass and the value of becoming a “somebody” before a “nobody”[54:26] Can you take someone deeper than you’ve gone yourself?[57:16] Trauma-informed care, referral systems, and understanding your scope[59:00] Restorative and transformative justice when something goes wrong[01:03:45] Integration, DRALA, and bringing sacred meticulousness into the space[01:07:00] Safety, trust, and the importance of being seen and feeling safe[01:10:14] Supervision and peer support: why every facilitator needs accountability[01:13:16] Learning from mistakes and the power of asking hard questions[01:17:37] Speed round: Why Ted does this work and the most important things it’s taught him[01:20:13] Can you do this work solo? Yes—with intentionality and the right support[01:21:43] Group journeys with couples: sacred space, boundaries, and energetic synergy[01:24:03] Agreements for group work: no sexual penetration or orgasm, underwear on[01:25:44] Possibility, scalability, and creating safe, healing spaces for couplesTed RiterEmail | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookTed Riter is a guide for those seeking deeper connections to self, others, and Source. Combining over 30 years as a teacher and spiritual leader with his personal journey as a husband, father, and friend, Ted is known for bringing a trustable, playful, and heart-centered approach to personal growth and (re)building relationships. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this inspiring episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, Gv Freeman is joined by Bill Protzmann, musician and founder of Music Care Inc., to explore the profound role of music in psychedelic healing. From navigating trauma to anchoring integration, Bill reveals how music can trigger emotion, unlock memory, and serve as a full-spectrum spiritual tool. Together, they unpack practical and ethical considerations for facilitators, offering insights on playlist creation, personal soundtracks, and musical intention. Tune in for a deep dive into sound, self-care, integration, and healing through music. Subscribe to keep learning and growing.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction: the power of music in psychedelic journeys[02:00] Guest intro: Bill Protzmann’s background in music and self-care[04:30] What is Music Morphic and its deeper intention beyond therapy[07:00] Music as emotional and spiritual medicine—not just background noise[10:00] Subjective experience of music and meaning-making in the listener[13:00] Bill’s story of healing from suicidal ideation using music as therapy[20:00] Using music as a tool for emotional release and inspiration[23:00] Early work with Alzheimer’s patients and brain-stem level responses[26:00] Music’s role in physical, emotional, and spiritual transformation[28:00] Beyond fixing: music for spiritual self-care and expanded states[31:30] How to help others expand their musical vocabulary and awareness[35:00] Gv shares guidance on avoiding generic playlists in sacred work[37:00] Consent, preparation, and co-creating meaningful music journeys[40:00] Role of music in anchoring and supporting deep emotions[42:00] Neuroplasticity and music-intention pairing in altered states[45:00] Full MAPS: engaging mental, emotional, physical, spiritual at once[48:00] Practical advice for music use during psychedelic experiences[50:00] Facilitator responsibility and musical consent in group journeys[53:00] Can music manipulate? Dangers of lyrics and verbal suggestion[58:00] Using movie scores and tribal drums to tap unconscious material[01:02:00] Anchoring integration through key musical pieces post-journey[01:05:00] Using playlists as integration tools and long-term healing anchors[01:08:00] Questions to ask during preparation: What’s the music on your heart?[01:10:00] Using personal music history to identify emotional triggers and comfort[01:12:00] What guides should consider when using music in ceremony[01:14:00] Closing reflections: honoring the sacred power of musicBill ProtzmannEmail | Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook Free Gift: What is Psychedelic Integration, or Integration Itself? Bill Protzmann’s personal mission is to raise awareness of the power of music as self-care.He has more than 30 years’ experience teaching people the power of music for mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, and his students range from leaders in the C- suite to people living on the street.In 2011, Bill launched Music Care Inc, a for-purpose corporation, to teach and advocate for practical ways music can be used for your self-care. In 2014, the National Council for Behavioral Health recognized him with an Award of Excellence – the industry equivalent of winning an Oscar. In 2023, Music Care Inc launched Musimorphic, an innovative brand with a mission to improve wellness, transformation, and joy.Bill operates as a consciousness coach. Improved consciousness means better results, so whether he is working with someone discovering integration practices for the psychedelic journey or an established coach who wants to expand their client base and take their influence to new heights, the quantum consciousness technology at the core of popular culture that Bill uses is the same: music. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this powerful episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, host Gv Freeman is joined by Joel Brierre, founder of Tandava Retreats and leading voice in the 5-MeO-DMT space. Together, they explore the science, spirituality, and ethical challenges of serving one of the most potent psychedelics known to humanity. Joel unpacks preparation, integration, ego inflation, and the importance of trauma-informed care. He also shares how entrepreneurial wisdom and ancient yogic teachings converge in psychedelic facilitation. A must-listen for anyone supporting psychedelic healing, therapy, and personal growth. Subscribe to stay connected to this evolving movement.Show Notes[00:00] Welcome and introduction to Joel Brierre and the importance of 5-MeO-DMT[01:11] Why integration is often skipped with 5-MeO and why that’s a problem[01:42] Joel’s background: CEO of Tandava, FIVE, and 5-MeO education and training[03:11] Groundbreaking research with EEG and brain mapping at Tandava Retreats[06:15] Joel’s spiritual path: chaos, yoga, India, and ashram life[08:30] Moving from N,N-DMT to 5-MeO and blending yogic and clinical frameworks[09:40] Adapting to clients in crisis with trauma-informed team support[10:46] Wu-Tang-inspired business model: a collective of masters[12:23] Entrepreneurship as medicine: the pressure cooker of self-awareness[14:36] Spiritual vs clinical models of facilitation and their appropriate use[15:53] Importance of individualized preparation, private sessions, and ongoing care[17:28] Tools used: IFS, Hakomi, somatics, and biofeedback[18:11] Gv’s early experience with toad medicine: no preparation, no integration[19:29] Red flags: lack of preparation, unrealistic expectations, and “white light or bust”[21:49] Survey findings: many traumatized due to poor integration practices[23:59] Nirvikalpa Samadhi: why you often “don’t remember” the experience[25:39] Healing is not linear—normalizing extreme emotional responses[27:28] Mystical experiences ≠ enlightenment—honoring the shadow[29:56] Advice for destabilized clients or under-prepared facilitators[31:33] The need for standards, mentorship, and trauma-informed community[33:34] Who is drawn to 5-MeO: spiritual seekers, psychonauts, and people in crisis[35:36] The problem of untrained practitioners and one-time users becoming servers[37:57] Messiah complex and the danger of ego inflation in the facilitator role[41:22] Leave no residue—humility and spiritual responsibility[42:27] Lineage, shadow, and ego inflation: a throughline of practitioner challenges[47:34] The shadow self needs integration, not eradication[49:07] Ego dissolution vs ego inflation—knowing the difference[50:38] Self-check? Better to rely on community, co-mentorship, and visibility[53:31] Keep learning—shadow senior facilitators and stay in student mindset[54:30] Toad vs synthetic: sustainability, safety, and spiritual dogma[57:03] Why synthetic 5-MeO is safer and more scalable[59:13] Common mistakes: no trauma training, white-light-only mindset, blaming clients[01:02:00] FIVE’s 9-month training: 40+ teachers, trauma-informed, integrative, and spiritual[01:05:22] Why do this work? Service to consciousness and collective healing[01:06:05] Most important lesson? Replacing answers with “I don’t know”[01:06:12] Best advice to new facilitators? Community, mentorship, and humilityJoel BrierreWebsite | LinkedIn | InstagramJoel Brierre is the Founder and CEO of the psychedelic retreat company Tandava Retreats, as well as co-founder of F.I.V.E., a 5-MeO-DMT training and data platform. Joel has been a leader in the modern psychedelic movement and has spent years creating data driven protocols around this molecule. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of PsychedelicIQ: Guidance for Guides, ethicist Dr. Sandra Dreisbach joins host Gv Freeman to explore the complex ethics of psychedelic healing. From informed consent and trauma awareness to power dynamics, accountability, and spiritual integrity, Sandra shares deeply personal insights and practical tools for facilitators. Her story weaves together decades of experience in philosophy, harm reduction, and kink-informed leadership. This conversation is essential for anyone committed to safe, ethical psychedelic therapy, integration, and personal growth. Subscribe for more grounded, responsible guidance in psychedelic practice.Show Notes[00:00] Introduction and welcome[01:17] Guest introduction: Sandra Dreisbach’s background in ethics, academia, and psychedelics[03:09] Setting the intention: building relationship and community with heart[03:58] “Not everyone is safe for everyone”—understanding facilitator-seeker fit[05:30] Real experiences of retraumatization in poorly matched sessions[06:16] Sandra’s current projects: World Psychedelics Day and ethical touch practices[07:13] The Psychedelic Safety Flags: a resource for facilitators and seekers[07:43] Sandra’s personal journey: from Girl Scouts to bioethics to psychedelic advocacy[10:33] A pivotal story: supporting a student in crisis leads to psychedelic ethics work[14:00] Fear, stigma, and the risks of speaking publicly about psychedelics[16:00] Unique challenges survivors face in psychedelic spaces[18:06] The importance of self-awareness, triggers, and resourcing for facilitators[20:04] Why ethical practice begins with internal alignment and boundaries[21:31] Facilitator blind spots and the limits of peer support alone[24:07] Key questions for self-reflection: values, patterns, and behavior under stress[27:00] Ethical maturity as a developmental process—growth over perfection[30:00] Creating decentralized, plant-inspired accountability ecosystems[31:20] Navigating training gaps and spiritual preparation as a practitioner[34:37] The need for basic skills like CPR and trauma awareness in all trainings[39:44] Ethics is a lifelong practice—you never get 100%[40:55] Mistakes vs. ethical violations: context, consent, and repair[45:53] Creating structures for accountability before harm occurs[51:45] Sandra’s personal healing through BDSM and leadership training[58:31] Exploring power dynamics, trauma, and authenticity in leadership[01:06:00] Rethinking touch: physical, energetic, emotional, and spiritual impact[01:12:45] Core tenets of informed consent and respecting client capacitySandra DreisbachEmail | Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook Sandra Dreisbach is an Ethicist and Psychedelic Ethics specialist with a MA, Phd in Philosophy. She is an Ethics Advisor active in Psychedelic Integration, Education and Advocacy. Sandra is the community leader of EPIC (Ethical Psychedelic International Community), Director of Ethics for Nectara, a psychedelic support ecosystem, Ethics Director for World Psychedelics Day 6/20, and former leader of the Santa Cruz Psychedelic Society. Sandra taught Bioethics at University of California, Santa Cruz, for ten years; worked for many years in the tech industry primarily at Apple; and is a Reiki Master. Get full access to PsychedelicIQ at psychedeliciq.substack.com/subscribe