Tatiana Aya Tupinambá joins Charles D. Johnston to explore our relationship with nature, the responsibility that follows psychedelic experiences, and why meaningful change is practiced in daily life.

In the first episode of the Nekawa Teacher Series, Charles D. Johnston sits down with Nekawa co-founder and teacher Tatiana Aya Tupinambá in Paraty, Brazil.

Tatiana reflects on the relationship between our inner lives and the natural world, drawing from her upbringing in Brazil and her years of study and practice. She shares her personal experience of addiction and discusses how psychedelic experiences affected the direction of her life.

The conversation returns to a grounded idea: an experience may open a door, but it cannot live your life for you. Insight becomes meaningful through the choices, habits, and relationships that follow. Tatiana and Charles discuss responsibility, daily practice, and the idea of life itself as a school in which everyone remains a student.

In this episode:

- Why Nekawa was created in the Atlantic Forest near Paraty
- Tatiana's personal relationship with nature
- Addiction and disconnection
- Psychedelic experiences as catalysts rather than complete solutions
- The difference between an experience and the work that follows
- Daily practice, personal responsibility, and integration
- Why Nekawa calls the people in its program students
- Life as an ongoing school

About Tatiana Aya Tupinambá

Tatiana is a Brazilian Indigenous woman of the Tupinambá people, a co-founder and teacher at Nekawa, and the subject of the documentary Curandera. Her work brings together traditional plant knowledge, close attention to nature, and the belief that learning must continue in ordinary life.

About the Nekawa Teacher Series

The Teacher Series introduces the people and ideas behind Nekawa through direct, thoughtful conversations. Follow the Nekawa Podcast for future episodes about nature, recovery, responsibility, and learning how to live with greater awareness.

Links

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gilLL0mxa-g

Learn more about Nekawa: https://nekawa.com

Learn more about Tatiana and Curandera: https://curandera.co

Follow Nekawa on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Nekawa.Ibogaine

Educational note

This episode presents personal experiences and educational discussion. It is not medical advice and does not recommend the use of psychedelics. Ibogaine carries significant medical risks and requires careful medical screening and monitoring by qualified clinicians.

Creators & Guests

• Tatiana Aya Tupinambá - Guest
• Charles D Johnston - Host