Mind Body Health & Politics

They Feed 30 People for $90 (How Cohousing Actually Works)Architect Charles Durrett reveals the economics and social dynamics of cohousing communities, plus Iceland's revolutionary approach to neurodiverse living where autism isn't a limitation but simply a different way of being.Guest: Charles Durrett - Principal architect at The Cohousing Company, coined the term "cohousing" in 1985, designed 55+ communities, author of 16 books on community designTopics Discussed:How cohousing communities feed 30 people for $90Why 34 houses share one lawnmower (and it works)The first U.S. cohousing community 35 years laterIceland's Sólheimar: 45 neurodiverse, 45 neurotypical residentsWhy people with autism drown at 166x the normal rate"Smiles per half hour" as a community metricBreaking bread 4-5 times weekly builds communityFrom isolation to internationally selling artistTimestamps:00:00 Introduction - Encouraging community for 20 years00:59 Meet Charles Durrett - Pioneer of cohousing01:40 The first U.S. cohousing communit

The Psychedelic Renaissance: 6 Leaders on Integration, Ethics & AccessAn unprecedented panel discussion featuring six pioneers of psychedelic medicine, moderated by Dr. Richard L. Miller. From underground roots to FDA trials, from ketamine clinics to ibogaine centers, these leaders reveal the challenges and breakthroughs shaping the future of psychedelic therapy.Panelists: • Matt Xavier - Author of "The Psychedelic DJ," pioneering music curation in psilocybin therapy • Wendy Tucker - Board Chair, Shulgin Foundation, preserving the lab where 200+ psychedelics were created • Sam Mandel - CEO, Ketamine Clinics Los Angeles (35,000+ infusions since 2014) • Tom Feegel - CEO, Beond Ibogaine Center, Cancun (11 MDs on staff) • Dori Lewis - Co-founder, Elemental Psychedelics & Colorado's 2nd legal psilocybin center • Joshua White - Founder, Fireside Project (30,000+ psychedelic support calls)Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction - The tribal nature of healing 02:30 The psychedelic renaissance and 50 years of suppresse

At age 9, Michael Ostrolenk looked at his overweight, chain-smoking psychiatrist and asked his mother: "He can't help himself. How's he gonna help me?" Then he walked out and never looked back.Now 54, Michael completes 50-mile rucks with weighted vests and trains Navy SEALs through SEALFIT and Unbeatable Mind Academy. After 43 years in martial arts and decades as a performance coach, he's identified why 72% of Americans are failing at health—and it's not about willpower.In this conversation, Michael reveals:Why willpower is a terrible strategy for changeThe "via negativa" approach that makes failure impossibleHis 4-pillar system (physiological, psychological, social, environmental)Why he gets blood work every 3-6 months (and what markers matter)The pull-up bar trick that transformed his client's military fitness testHow removing M&Ms matters more than resisting themThe connection between circadian biology and mental healthWhy "normalizing pathological behaviors" is destroying our healthPlus: The surprisin

Dr. Heather Lee: When Traditional Therapy Fails, Sacred Medicine SucceedsMind Body Health Politics Episode - Dr. Richard Lewis MillerEpisode DescriptionA mother lost her 2-year-old to cancer and spent two years bedbound with grief. Traditional therapy, medication, and family support all failed her. Then she discovered Dr. Heather Lee's psilocybin therapy in Colorado—and everything changed. What happened next will challenge everything you think you know about healing trauma and grief.Dr. Heather Lee is Colorado's 22nd licensed psychedelic facilitator and author of the upcoming book The Psilocybin Sessions: 10 True Tales of Women's Wisdom Awakening. Her legal, clinical work with sacred medicine is producing results that conventional medicine struggles to explain.Timestamped Chapters00:00 - The Epidemic of Isolation and Why We Need Community03:00 - Dr. Heather Lee's Revolutionary Approach to Healing05:00 - The Grieving Mother's Two-Year Journey Through Hell08:00 - When Her Deceased Child Appeared During the Sess

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to HealDescription: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."Key Topics:Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuseHow shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping itThe difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliationBreaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in familiesInternal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split"

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk AboutDescription:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.Key Topics:Why pop culture has become our default sex educatorHow algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shameThe myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universalMedia representation of masturbation and female

The Forgiveness Trap: Why "Forgive and Forget" Perpetuates the Very Harm It Claims to HealDescription: Most people think forgiveness means welcoming harmful people back into your life. Veronica Monet reveals why this approach actually perpetuates cycles of abuse—and what real healing looks like.Guest Bio: Veronica Monet is a former high-end escort turned therapist and domestic violence counselor. Having survived childhood sexual abuse in what she describes as "a family of pedophiles," she now specializes in Internal Family Systems therapy and helping survivors break generational cycles of trauma. She's the author of the upcoming book "The Pedophile Who Loved Me: My Treacherous Path to True Forgiveness."Key Topics:Why religious forgiveness often enables continued abuseHow shame drives harmful behavior underground instead of stopping itThe difference between true forgiveness and dangerous reconciliationBreaking generational cycles of sexual abuse in familiesInternal Family Systems and how trauma creates "split"

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healingTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approac

Dr. Lauren Rosewarne on Perversion, Porn, and What We Won't Talk AboutDescription:Pop culture isn't just entertainment—it's become our default sex educator. Dr. Lauren Rosewarne breaks down how algorithms profit from our sexual confusion and why "perversion" is actually universal human experience.Guest Bio: Dr. Lauren Rosewarne is a media scholar at the University of Melbourne who has built her career studying topics most academics avoid: perversion, masturbation, pornography, and how pop culture becomes our informal sex educator. Author of numerous books including "Part-Time Perverts," "Cheating on the Sisterhood," and research on masturbation in popular culture, she examines how entertainment fills the gaps left by formal education—particularly around sexuality and human behavior.Key Topics:Why pop culture has become our default sex educatorHow algorithms track sexual curiosity and profit from shameThe myth of "perversion" and why sexual interests are universalMedia representation of masturbation and female

Dr. Jarrett Rose reveals groundbreaking research from inside a week-long psychedelic retreat in Jamaica where 11 strangers took escalating doses of psilocybin—and discovered something clinical trials are missing entirely.Guest Bio:Dr. Jarrett Rose is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at SUNY Polytechnic Institute studying psychedelic culture and group therapy dynamics. A former high school dropout who was medicated with Ritalin against his will, he earned his PhD from York University in Toronto and now conducts participant-observation research in real-world psychedelic settings. He recently published groundbreaking research on collective effervescence in psychedelic therapy and is collaborating with Dr. Daniel Kruger on psychedelic community studies.Key Topics:- Why 99% of psychedelic therapy happens in groups, not clinical trials- The economics making individual therapy impossible for most people- How "collective effervescence" amplifies healing outcomes beyond individual sessions- Escalating doses: 3-5g,

Dr. Alex Belser, clinical scientist and psychologist formerly at NYU and Yale, reveals why 98% of psychedelic therapy happens underground—and the dark history the field doesn't want you to know. Guest Bio: Dr. Alexander Belser is a clinical scientist, psychologist, and psychedelic researcher. Author of EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression (Oxford University Press) and Queering Psychedelics: From Oppression to Liberation, he has been a leader for LGBTQIA+ advocacy in psychedelic spaces. Key Topics:The economics forcing psychedelic therapy underground Hidden history of conversion therapy with LSD Current threats to LGBTQ+ research Solutions for accessible psychedelic healingTIMESTAMPS: [00:00] Cold Open Montage [01:20] Welcome & the return to tribal living [02:24] Dr. Belser introduction - Brooklyn, NY [04:13] The future of community psychedelic medicine [06:02] Johnson & Johnson's $32,000/year ketamine vs. generic [07:42] Why 98% of psychedelic therapy is underground [09:21] Harm reduction approac

Discover how scientific self-experimentation went from heroic standard practice to career-ending stigma—and what we lost about consciousness research in the process.Why 19th-century scientists routinely self-experimented with psychoactive substancesHow the 1962 FDA amendments changed scientific culture foreverThe underground networks continuing psychedelic research outside institutionsWhat the MDMA therapy rejection reveals about modern scientific politicsLinks & Resources:"Psychonauts" by Mike Jay"Free Radicals: How a Group of Romantic Experimenters Gave Birth to Psychedelic Science"Full interview available on Mind Body Health & Politics podcastImperial College London psychedelic researchNative American Church peyote ceremoniesTimestamped Chapters: (00:00) - Introduction: The Scholar's Privilege (02:00) - When Self-Experimentation Was Standard Practice(05:00) - Humphrey Davy and the Birth of Psychedelic Science (11:00) - Freud, Cocaine, and Neurasthenia (15:00) - William James and the Stream of Consc

In this illuminating conversation, Dr. Richard Miller speaks with Satya, a Portuguese healer and former professional surfer, about the vital importance of self-care for those in helping professions. From the healing power of small communities to the ongoing work of trauma integration, this discussion offers practical wisdom for sustaining oneself while serving others.About Our GuestSatya is a 47-year-old healer based in Portugal who transitioned from professional surfing to founding the Awareness Facilitator School, which combines psychotherapy, meditation, quantum physics, ancient philosophies, and bodywork. Her approach emphasizes helping clients "rise in consciousness" rather than treating them as patients.Key Topics & Timestamps02:10 - Life in a small Portuguese surfer village and the healing power of community10:23 - Satya's journey from professional surfer to healer13:42 - The profound impact of ayahuasca on healing deep trauma17:33 - Dr. Miller's parallel journey creating Wilbur Hot Springs as a na

Renowned psychologist Dr. Monnica Williams reveals how racial trauma affects people of color daily, and offers three practical actions anyone can take to create positive change.How subtle, everyday racism leads to lasting psychological injury through "microaggressions"Why many of us are conditioned not to see racism, even when it's happening right in front of usThe shocking study showing it took 80 phone calls for a Black man to find a therapist who would see himThree practical steps everyone can take to combat racism and promote healingLinks & ResourcesHealing the Wounds of Racial Trauma by Dr. Monnica WilliamsMind Body Health Politics Archives - Listen to our full 20-year archive freeThe Kenneth Clark Doll Study - The landmark research mentioned in our conversationAmerican Psychological Association's Apology for Role in Promoting RacismTimestamped Chapters(00:00) - Introduction to Dr. Monnica Williams: Social Justice Royalty (01:00) - Growing Up with Civil Rights Activist Parents (03:00) - Understanding

MDMA-assisted therapy could be key to healing Ukraine's war trauma—and might even help mend our own divided society's psychological wounds.Key Insights:MAPS' Phase 3 clinical trials showed 72.6% of severe PTSD patients no longer qualified for diagnosis after MDMA therapyGroup therapy combined with MDMA shows enormous promise for healing communities facing widespread traumaEpigenetic research suggests processing trauma with psychedelics could prevent passing trauma to future generationsAmerica's social division is creating its own psychological "war zone" that might benefit from psychedelic-assisted healingLinks & Resources:MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic StudiesPsychedelic Science 2025 - Denver, June 16-20, 2025Mind Body Health & PoliticsSuperhumans Center UkraineTimestamps:(00:00:00) - Introduction: Four Decades of Psychedelic Medicine Advocacy(00:03:00) - The Dark History Behind Drug Prohibition and Criminalization(00:05:42) - Inside Ukraine: Air Raid Sirens and Everyday Resilie

​Dr. Nicholas Powers reveals how psychedelics could help heal generational trauma in communities of color while reinvigorating social movements at a critical political moment.In This Episode:- Why the "Black psychedelic revolution" is currently a celebrity trend but needs to become accessible to working-class communities- How the constant psychological burden of "the white superego" creates trauma in communities of color- Why writing is a powerful tool for liberation and reclaiming your mind from today's attention economyLinks & Resources:- [The Black Psychedelic Revolution by Nicholas Powers](https://www.blackpsychedelicrevolution.com/)- [Mind Body Health & Politics Archive](https://mindbodyhealthpolitics.org/)Chapters:(00:00) - Intro: Understanding the Black Experience in America(08:00) - The Weight of History: Carrying Ancestral Trauma(15:00) - The Current State of Psychedelics in Communities of Color(21:00) - Backlash Politics: Post-Election Mourning and Resistance(30:00) - Resilience Stories: Fin

While clinical trials capture headlines, 99.9% of psychedelic experiences happen outside laboratory walls. Dr. Matthew Lowe shares groundbreaking research revealing that self-guided psychedelic use can deliver the same benefits as clinical settings, including reductions in depression and anxiety.The world's largest naturalistic psilocybin study with 8,000+ participantsHow home use of magic mushrooms can match clinical outcomesWhy shame reduction may be a key mechanism in psychedelic healingPsychedelics' complex history with marginalized communitiesLinks:Unlimited Sciences: Research organization studying observational/naturalistic psychedelic usePsychedelic Info Line: 888-210-3553 (Free consultation service)Study Reference: "Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and well-being" (Frontiers in Psychiatry) - Open Access Link(00:00) - Intro: The 99% of Psychedelic Use We Don't Study (01:50) - The World's Largest Naturalistic Psilocybin Study (06:30) - Real-World vs

"Medical error has been declared the third leading cause of death in the literature, and this has been for several decades." - Dr. Julie SiemersA 45-year nursing veteran reveals shocking statistics about preventable deaths, hospital errors, and patient harm that everyone should know before their next doctor's visit. Dr. Julie Siemers exposes alarming research about surgical mistakes, missed diagnoses, and medication errors, while offering practical strategies to protect yourself and loved ones from becoming victims of a broken healthcare system.Learn:* Why 80% of cardiac arrests in hospitals are completely preventable* The disturbing truth about foreign objects left in surgical patients* How to effectively question doctors and nurses about treatment plans* Why bringing an advocate to appointments could save your life* The critical resource to check your hospital's safety grade before admissionTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction and Shocking Statement(00:42) Welcome to Mind, Body, Health Politics(01:32) Introducin

"You might feel like you're dying... you might think that the state you're in is going to last forever." - Dr. Daniel KrugerA groundbreaking University of Michigan study of 1,200+ psychedelic users reveals shocking statistics about adverse effects, from sexual misconduct to psychological crises. Dr. Daniel Kruger shares critical findings about what really happens when people use psychedelics outside clinical settings, and why people still take these risks despite the dangers.Learn:* Why 74.3% of users experience profound sadness* The troubling 1-in-20 risk of misconduct with underground guides* How to prepare for common psychological challenges* The shift from recreational to therapeutic motivations* Why legal risks remain significant despite policy changesTimestamps:(00:00) - The Alarming Stats No One Talks About(04:19) - Why People Risk Everything for Psychedelics(10:15) - The Dark Truth About Underground Guides(15:36) - Sadness & Fear: Feature or Bug? (The Debate)(21:01) - Near-Death Experience: Why It

In this eye-opening conversation with legendary science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson, we explore practical paths to meaningful change in an age of crisis. From local climate action groups to worker-owned cooperatives, Robinson reveals how working alternatives to capitalism are hiding in plain sight.00:00 Capitalism vs. Feudalism: A Comparison00:41 Introduction to Mind, Body, Health, and Politics01:35 Kim Stanley Robinson on Climate Change and Local Action04:29 Capitalism, Climate, and Utopia: Interconnected Themes11:27 Historical Perspectives: Genghis Khan and Social Systems14:56 Marxism and Its Challenges19:18 Examples of Alternative Systems23:48 The Role of Democracy and Progressive Taxation28:02 Literacy and Communication in Modern Society30:19 The Influence of Right-Wing Talk Radio32:06 The Power of Oral Tradition and Social Media34:44 The Art of Compression in Communication36:08 The Value of Long-Form Novels38:45 Local Government and Community Involvement40:01 The Village Homes Experiment47:13 Ref