Modern Spirit Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Tafur and Natasha spoke to Tatiana Aya Tupinambá and Charles Johnston. Tatiana is a Brazilian born Indigenous woman and traditionally trained spiritual healer, who has been an ayahuasca curandera for over 10 years. Charles has guided thousands through psychedelic experiences and is an author, producer and educator in the fields of addiction and psychedelics. Together, drawing on their own triumphant stories of recovery, they co-founded Nekawa, combining modern medical science with Indigenous wisdom to deliver an Ibogaine treatment program in Brazil. They also produced an award-winning documentary Curandera, about Tatiana’s story and Ayahuasca plant medicine.We cover a whole range of topics from the creative process behind the documentary, to the path of the medicine woman, to Ibogaine and addiction recovery and their new project for a living school/village with various programmes running parallel for people to find their way back to nature and their very essence.Thanks for listening! If y

Why are wild peyote populations shrinking, and what can be done about it? In this episode, we explore the sacred medicine of peyote and efforts to conserve it with Leonardo Mercado. We discuss restrictive U.S. laws, unregulated harvesting, ongoing debates, conservation work led by some Native communities, wild vs. greenhouse cultivation and more.For 40 years, Leo has been dedicated to preserving peyote and its seed sources to create a sustainable future for the medicine. He’s now Cultivation Director at Seedling Sanctuary in Tucson – a proof of concept program demonstrating an efficient model for the ethical stewardship of peyote. It operates under the Morning Star Conservancy (MSC), a non-profit organization founded by members of the Native American Church (NAC). So what’s working, what needs improvement and what support is needed? Take a listen!If you’d like to support the nonprofit Modern Spirit and our podcast, you can make a donation HERE.For more information about Leo and Morning Star Conservancy, and t

Today’s mini episode welcomes back Xochi Bucuru - Colombian traditional healer, educator, and community activist. Xochi shares details about her upcoming course, Spiritual Medicine for Integrative Health – part of Modern Spirit’s wider offerings and learning resources.The 5-week live online course will run from Feb 24th to March 24th 2026.More details HERE. Limited scholarships available.If you’d like to support the nonprofit Modern Spirit and our podcast, you can make a donation HERE. Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction(01:39) Xochi’s Vision & Desire to Exchange Knowledge(03:28) Expanding Learning Opportunities & Access(04:58) Integrating Ancestral Wisdom(06:27) Who Is the Course For?(11:38) Details About Course Curriculum(14:43) Life is a Ceremony(18:08) Science and Spirit Learning from Each Other(22:38) How to Join

For this episode, Dr. Joe Tafur and Natasha Pentin spoke with Tania de Jong AM, an award-winning social entrepreneur, acclaimed soprano, inspirational speaker and storyteller, creative alchemist, philanthropist and spiritual journey woman. Many of our listeners wanted to learn more about the power of music for healing and the neuroscience of singing together, so in this episode we explore all of that – as well as the rescheduling of psychedelic medicines in Australia, building an ecosystem for accessible and affordable treatment, how therapists become authorized prescribers, and what other countries can learn from this pioneering approach.Tania was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia, and has also been named in the 100 Women of Influence, 100 Most Influential Entrepreneurs in Australia, and 100 Most Influential People in Psychedelics globally. She has developed six businesses and four charities including: Creative Universe, Creativity Australia and the With One Voice program, Creative Innovation Glob

Dr. Joe Tafur and Natasha Pentin spoke with Edward James, Ph.D., and Joachim Keppler, Ph.D. Edward brings expertise across pharmacology, psychedelic compounds, and biochemistry. Joachim is a quantum field theory physicist, devoted to the study of consciousness and uncovering its fundamental mechanisms. With their colleagues, they published a paper together in 2022 about DMT, ayahuasca plant medicine, and human consciousness.We had many messages asking for an episode about quantum physics…so here it is! We discuss two different theories of consciousness: the biological processes model that is explained by biological or neurophysiological processes versus the idea that the universe is pervaded by an ubiquitous field of consciousness (which corresponds with the laws of physics). In other words, viewing the brain as a filter, and that it can somehow couple with the larger consciousness. Edward and Joachim explain how related work may eventually lead to further understanding of the therapeutic benefits of psychede

Dr. Joe Tafur and Natasha Pentin sat down with Roman Palitsky M.Div. PhD., Director of Research Projects for Emory Spiritual Health. He’s also Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science and faculty in the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality.We discuss Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological (SERT) experiences around psychedelics, how some religious people understand and experience psychedelics (the Mosaic Initiative), spiritual health practitioners and chaplains, post-psychedelic challenges, and more. Thanks for listening! If you’d like to support the nonprofit Modern Spirit and our podcast, you can make a donation HERE: https://www.modernspirit.org/donate More information about Roman:  Emory University website  If you’ve had a challenging experience with psychedelics or meditation, please consider participating in the two studies Roman is working on mentioned in the podcast.  Psychedelic Challenges: https://www.psychedelicchallenges.org/  Meditation Chall

Dr. Joe Tafur and Natasha Pentin spoke with Canadian adult and pediatric neurologist Dr. Evan Cole Lewis to explore how epilepsy, trauma, and brain networks intertwine. We discuss pediatric epilepsy, cannabis for seizures, Functional Neurological Disorders (FND), and emerging psychedelic-assisted therapy treatments. Dr. Lewis talks about the differences between structural brain injury and brain “software” disruption, shining light on the world of trauma-based neurological symptoms. Dr. Lewis holds a clinical appointment as Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Hospital for Sick Children and at the University of Toronto. Currently practicing at North Toronto Neurology and Homeward Therapy, Dr. Lewis focuses on epilepsy, brain injury, concussion and post-concussion symptoms, functional neurological disorders, and the therapeutic use of cannabis and psychedelics in these conditions.You can see more of Dr. Lewis’s work here:  YouTube Website North Toronto Neurology Psychedelic Therapy

Natasha Pentin is joined by Dr. Joe Tafur himself and Xochi Bucuru. Dr. Tafur is a Colombo-American integrative physician, traditionally trained spiritual healer (Ayahuasquero), and highly acclaimed author. Xochi is a Colombian traditional healer (Yagecera), educator, and promoter of Indigenous community projects. They discuss supporting Indigenous traditions, navigating the learning curve of ancestral healing, advice for finding respectful plant medicine ceremonies, the power of music, discernment, upcoming projects, and more.Modern Spirit Website: https://www.modernspirit.org/ Joe’s books:  Fellowship of the River https://bit.ly/47v6y1A  Medicine Song http://bit.ly/4hqkHl7  Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to the Modern Spirit Podcast(00:47) Introducing the Guests: Dr. Joe Tafur & Xochi Bucuru(02:15) How Joe & Xochi Met(04:17) Elevating Indigenous Voices(06:37) Combining Science and Spirit(09:10) Yagé Used As Medicine(10:32) The Influence of Many Teachers(11:56) Combining Traditions in Ceremony(19:4

Modern Spirit Podcast hosted by Dr. Joe Tafur & Natasha Pentin. 

Great interview with my friends and colleagues, Ray and Amalia Baca. Together we started the Ocotillo Center for Integrative Medicine, which continues to evolve. Raymond Alonzo “Two Bears” Baca describes himself as a Christian Taoist, walking the Red Road. I call him a Medicine Man and a Breathworker. Amalia Baca obtained her doctorate’s from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine & Health Sciences in Tempe, Arizona. Dr. Baca has developed a strong passion for providing medical care to families, using advanced medical technologies as well as traditional & indigenous healing methods. Together their experiences with sacred ceremony, with & without entheogens, have blessed them with opportunities to help others with their healing work and post-integration. Breathwork has become a big part of that integration, and in this episode, they share their expertise with our audience. Enjoy this profound episode!

Wonderful discussion with my old friend, research and spiritual mentor Dr. Paul Mills. Paul J. Mills was Professor of Family Medicine and Public Health and Director of the Center of Excellence for Research and Training in Integrative Health. He was also Chief of the UC San Diego Behavioral Medicine Division, Director of the UC San Diego Clinical Research Biomarker Laboratory, and Co-director of the UC San Diego Clinical and Translational Research Institute’s Translational Research Technology (TRT) Program. He is currently serving as Director of Research for the Chopra Foundation.He has expertise in Integrative Medicine, Traditional Medical systems, and psychoneuroimmune processes in wellness and disease, publishing numerous manuscripts and book chapters on these topics.Dr. Paul Mills has been an inspirational figure in many lives, we look back on his career and forward to his continued work bridging the spiritual and the scientific. Enjoy.Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Great interview with my old friend and Modern Spirit Board Member Dr. Shamini Jain PhD.Dr. Shamini Jain is the Founder and CEO of the Consciousness and Healing Initiative (CHI), a collaborative accelerator that facilitates the transdisciplinary science and real-world application of consciousness and healing practices. As a clinical psychologist, as well as a research scientist in the fields of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) and integrative medicine for over a decade, Shamini formed CHI through a deep understanding that major systemic transformations, which will place healing at the center of medicine and scientific inquiry, will most rapidly occur through a networked approach that fosters collaboration and innovation among key stakeholders. Rennaissance woman Shamini Jain guides us into her fascinating work with CHI and the world of evidence-based biofield therapies…helping us to understand how energy healing techniques are finding their way back into modern healthcare. Always a joy to talk with Shamini, please

Thought-provoking interview with my friend and colleague educator and researcher Ronan Hallowell M.A., Ed.D. Ronan is Assistant Professor of Clinical Medical Education at the USC School of Medicine. As a member of the Learning Sciences Team in the Department of Medical Education at Keck, he works with colleagues to provide a suite of curriculum and instruction services to faculty and administrators that includes instructional design and faculty development. He currently serves as a Co-Investigator on a digital health literacy grant funded by the AMA as part of its Accelerating Change in Medical Education initiative. Dr. Hallowell also conducts research on physician professional identity formation, curriculum design and cross-cultural perspectives on medicine. He is a student of the world’s wisdom traditions and a ceremonial singer in the Lakota Native American tradition. We explore the hot topics of structural racism and cultural competency, and how do we prepare the next generation of healthcare providers to

Claudia Cuentas, Cantante, Terapista, Educadora comparta su alegría y su sabiduria en este fanscinante conversación sobre el valor de la medicina ancestral en nuestro mundo moderno. Sobre donde entra la espiritualidad y el misticismo en la práctica de la pscicología y la terapía. Aprende más sobre Claudia, originalmente de Peru, y escucha su musica inspirante en la pagina claudiacuentas.com Learn more at modernspirit.org.

David Schumann, joins us for a very special interview. David Schumann is a mathematician, engineer, researcher, and writer working in the fields of natural health, green energy, science, spirituality, and technology. He received his B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Arizona and spent fifteen years in the pyrotechnic device business as engineer and program lead. His company, Synergy Energy Systems, was formed in 2008 to consult, develop innovative products, and publish information around his varied interests. He began his project Living with Radiation (livingwithradiation.com) in 2011 in response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster and self-published his first book on nuclear radiation and health in 2014. His second book was published in 2019 on the Takata airbag scandal.Join us for an illuminating and evidence-based discussion about the health risks of electromagnetic and cellular radiation and the growing 5G network.Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Rael Cahn, MD PhD, joins us for a fascinating interview. Dr. Cahn is a clinician scientist at the USC Brain and Creativity Institute. He has extensive personal experience as a meditation practitioner and experience teaching mindfulness meditation practices to clinicians and patients alike. His research expertise is in the neuroscience of meditation and altered states of consciousness.Dr. Cahn is the Principal Investigator of the Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project, please support his work through the Modern Spirit Epigenetics Project Crowdfund. Join us for a fascinating discussion of altered states of consciousness, meditation research, brain waves and the EEG, psychedelic medicine, and much more.Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Nuestro primer episodio en español con mi amiga y colega Sandra Nogueira-Lopes. Sandra lleva muchos años dedicado a su camino espiritual y a la sanación espiritual. Nos habla de su proceso, de la alegría y el camino espiritual, de la situación de nuestro mundo y de la vida. Por favor, disfruta.Learn more at modernspirit.org.

John Quintal, spiritual seeker and Canadian heavy machine operator, shares with us about his journey into Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine and through early-stage prostate cancer. I had met him first years ago in Peru and have been hoping to follow-up with him on his progress. Please join us for an inspiring exploration in to the path of human healing. Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Benjaman has spent more than half his life as a student and practitioner of shamanism and Earth medicine. His own journey of personal healing and discovery led him to study and train with master healers and medicine people of North and South America as well as the Celtic traditions of his ancestry. These paths have helped Benjaman find his deepest, most profound healing transformation, as well as the path forward to help others do the same. Join us for this inspiring discussion.Benjaman’s podcast, Original Mythology, begins later this month, visit www.originalmythology.com to learn more.Learn more at modernspirit.org.

Deirdre Kelley Lic Ac. has spent over 11 years providing health and wellness to her patients, first as a Certified Veterinary Nurse working with companion animals and wildlife, and now as an acupuncturist for both humans as well as animals.Her unique healing journey continues to inform her practice, as she learns through her own medicine.Learn more about Deirdre’s work through her website: http://brattleboroholistichealth.com/sections/acupunctureJoin us for a fascinating discussion covering Deirdre’s journey into healing work, finding expanded capacity through spiritual healing, and much, much more.Learn more at modernspirit.org.