Here's the next exciting installment of The Alchemist and the Eagle audiobook. In chapter 34, "The Sack of Tuko-Go," the resistance takes a bold chance of taking the battle to the outskirts of the Jolao Empire at the city of Tuko-Go. The only problem is that the Empire is letting it happen for their own purposes ...

Only two chapters left to go with this book of the Tales of Aurduin series. The audiobook of book 4, The Fifth Temple, is nearing completion and will be ready to go for sharing between interview episodes here on the podcast, so the story will continue!

My guest this week is author, philosopher, and environmental lawyer, Tam Hunt, here to share all about his newest book, The Hippies Were Right - About Consciousness and Everything Else. We had fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about consciousness, reality, ontology, phenomenology, panpsychism, AI, Burning Man, 5-MeO-DMT, and so much more - truly an episode for those who are interested in the fundamental questions about consciousness, what it is, how we can study it, and how it can be explored. You can learn more about Tam and his work at his website, www.tam-hunt.com

We cover a lot of territory in this week's interview with Internal Family Systems therapist and author, Joshua Pritikin, discussing his new 460+ page book, Religion Unburdened by Belief: The Way of Open Inquiry. Having entered both the worlds of IFS and psychedelic experience only recently in life, Joshua was inspired to create an engaging book that asks big questions about human experience, exploration of the mystery of being, and pathways for doing so without dogmatic beliefs that ultimately impeded open inquiry. As a regular attendee at the Church of the Holy Light of the Queen, the Santo Daime church here in Ashland, Oregon, which served ayahuasca ("Daime") as a religious sacrament, Joshua dives deep into the question of how religious experience can be facilitated by psychedelic use without falling in the belief trap. We invite you to listen in on our extended conversation in this episode ...

The other month I was contacted by Jonas who was inspired to share his story of post-5-MeO-DMT energetic challenges here on the podcast in response to my oft-repeated comments that people are going into experiences with 5 inadequately informed about the potential challenges. Jonas wanted to make his experience available here on the podcast so that others might learn from his experience and understand that regardless of how a session with 5 goes, the post-session process can be extremely difficult, as has been the case for Jonas - big thanks to Jonas to be willing to share!

Reminder: this Wednesday is my second free webinar, "The Foundations of Integration with 5-MeO-DMT" - register for this free event at www.martinball.net/webinar, and see you on Wednesday, 3:30-5 pm Pacific time

I'm joined this week by returning guest, Ian Benouis, who's here to share the latest scientific developments around the molecular identification of psilomethoxin, 4-HO-5-MeO-DMT, the unique sacrament from The Church of the Sacred Synthesis. We discuss the recent findings as well as the court cases the church has launched to defend themselves against their detractors. You can learn more about The Church of the Sacred Synthesis at their website, www.sacredsynthesis.com

Also, there's my second upcoming webinar on The Foundations of Integration with 5-MeO-DMT. You can register for this free online educational event at www.martinball.net/webinar, and there are still some spaces left in my upcoming 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training Course with Mindscape Institute - www.martinball.net/courses

In this week's episode we meet the man behind the camera for the international hit film, "Fantastic Fungi," and the creator of the nature documentary series, "Moving Art," Louie Schwartzberg. Louie shares about his early psychedelic experiences and how they informed his passion for nature photography, time-lapse, film making, and providing the audience with a profound sense of awe and wonder with the captivating beauty of the natural world. You can access his work through a private subscription at MovingArt.com

Also in this episode, I feature another student testimonial about my 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist training course with Mindscape Institute. Next class starts Sept 9, and spots are filling up. You can learn more or enroll at www.martinball.net/courses

My guest this week is venerated elder in the psychedelic community, Dr. Richard Louis Miller, who joins me to discuss his newest book, The Adverse Effects and Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Medicines - A Guide to the Risks and Rewards of Using Psychedelics in Therapy. The fundamental premise of the book is that those who promote use of psychedelics for therapy need to have honest accounting of not just the benefits, but also the risks, when using these powerful tools, and avoid painting overly-rosey pictures that are misleading and uninformed. We talk all about it and much more.

Also included is a reminder about my upcoming webinar on 5-MeO-DMT Integration as well as my training course with Mindscape Institute. The free webinar is on July 15th and class starts on Sept 9. You can register for the free event at www.martinball.net/webinar

This week I'm joined by Suzi Kalypso, founder of The Temple of Eden in southern California, which she started 5 years ago as a bufo (5-MeO-DMT) church, but has since expanded into a multi-sacrament entheogenic church and also provides facilitation training, integration, and community events and support. In this lengthy interview we learn of her struggles with addiction and her journey into psychedelic medicines as well as the move from being a minimally-trained "pipe lighter" (a common deficiency in the 5-MeO-DMT world) to being an ethically-minded priestess who focuses on her budding community in LA and beyond. Learn more about the Temple of Eden here.

Also in this episode I have a brief interview with Sarah Knapik of Altar of the Heart Church in support of my upcoming 5-MeO-DMT Integration Specialist Training course with Mindscape Institute, and additionally I announce an upcoming free Zoom webinar about my course for all who are interested in learning more about integration with 5-MeO-DMT and what the course covers. The webinar will be on Wednesday, July 15 from 3:30-5 pm Pacific time. All are welcome, but you will need to register with me at martinball.net.