Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

Prepare to be ignited by a raw, powerful story of healing, shadow work, and love. Kat Courtney, a woman who’s dedicated her life to exploring the shadows and the light, cracks open the depths and healing potential of plant medicines like ayahuasca, ibogaine, and wachuma, and how being a death doula is ultimately about love and fits perfectly with plant medicine.
Most of us are living behind a mask of success, secretly hollow, craving genuine healing, and likely needing to face our shadows. Kat Courtney’s extraordinary journey from a small-town Montana girl stuck in an outwardly “successful,” corporate Disney gig to a profound plant medicine ayahuasquera will fascinate you. She reveals how sitting with powerful sacred plants like ayahuasca and ibogaine cracked open her deepest wounds—and transformed her into someone who now helps others do the same.
If you’re hungry to understand how these sacred plants can heal, reveal, and transform love and loss then this one’s for you.In this episode:👉 Kat’s journey from a corporate, small-town Montana girl to ayahuasquera and death doula👉 The awakening power of ayahuasca and its lessons on shadow work👉 The differences between ayahuasca, ibogaine, and wachuma and how each offers unique healing👉 Why diving into the shadows is essential for true healing and authentic love👉 How plant diets strengthen our connection and protect our energetic boundaries👉 The profound lessons plant medicines teach about grief, loss, and love’s all-encompassing nature👉 The story behind Kat’s arrest and her commitment to staying aligned with her truth👉 Practical insights on working with non-psychedelic plants for emotional and spiritual growth👉 Explore death as a sacred transition: Kat’s role as a death doula👉 How plant medicine accelerates the journey to love and self-acceptance
KAT'S LINKS:Instagram | Newsletter | Plant Medicine People Website | Bassé website 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.

Join us for this dive into Dr. Dave Rabin's #1 neuroscience book on Amazon, A SIMPLE GUIDE TO BEING HUMAN.
Dave and I have a wisdom-filled conversation about the power of feeling, the science behind love, and the incredible potential of psychedelics and technology to transform our understanding of reality and heal trauma. Dr. Dave Rabin shares insights from decades of research and his book, including that that spirituality isn’t just faith, but a measurable, biological experience. You’ll discover how ancient wisdom and modern neuroscience collide, revealing that love is as real as your heartbeat and safety is the foundation of healing. Learn how a tiny vibration, a moment of gratitude, or even a 120-second breathing practice can rewire your brain and transform your life.
If you’re craving connection, longing for purpose, or simply ready to tap into the magic hiding in plain sight, this episode is for you. It’s time to feel first, think second, and heal. Don’t miss this journey into the science that proves love, spirit, and consciousness are not separate from us—they are us.
In this episode:👉How deep trauma and early experiences shape our dreams and perceptions👉The astonishing science proving love as a biological and spiritual force👉Why feeling first is the key to healing—breaking the cycle of repression👉The groundbreaking technology Apollo Neuro and its role in stress relief and sleep enhancement👉Reframing hallucinations as visions—exploring non-ordinary states of consciousness👉The sacred connection between science and spirituality through DMT and psychedelic research👉Practical, simple practices to rewire your brain in just minutes a day👉The importance of play, inner child, and community in healing and joy👉The science of consciousness, faith, and the universe—trusting what we cannot fully understand
DR. DAVE RABIN'S LINKS:Instagram | Website | A Simple Guide to Being Alive | Apollo Neuro  
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.
 

In this episode, we dive deep into the sacred plant medicines of Peru. Ayahuasca, yes. But shaman Samer Mouawad and I take an even deeper dive into the profound, transformational healing one can experience with Wachuma (San Pedro), a cactus. We also discuss how kambo, a process where the secretions of the giant monkey frog are superficially burned into your skin, can help deepen the healing process; why someone might be pulled to a wachuma ceremony versus an ayahuasca journey; and why wachuma is such a powerful medicine to counter the disconnection and trauma so many people experience in modern society. Samir also shares his amazing personal journey from Lebanon to the jungles of Peru, when he had *no* intentions of becoming a shaman. 
We discuss:👉 The history and spiritual lineage of Wachuma and its archaeological roots👉 Samir’s transformative encounters with ayahuasca and how San Pedro brought him back into his body and heart👉 The difference between Western medicine and shamanic healing, and how plant medicine bridges the gap👉 The concept of regenerative shamanism and how integrating daily habits amplifies the medicine’s effects👉 The importance of intention, guidance, and honoring the plant’s call👉 Kambo’s role in detoxification and its regenerative peptides👉 How plant medicines can steer you in the right or wrong direction without proper guidance👉 Why San Pedro is particularly valuable for modern disconnection and trauma👉 Personal stories of loss and insight, emphasizing humility, acceptance, and compassion👉 Practical tips for safe and meaningful plant medicine journeys and choosing the right medicine for your path
Remember:Always approach plant medicine with respect, guided support, and a clear intention. 
SAMIR'S LINKS:Instagram | Samadi Healing Retreats 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
This content is for educational and harm-reduction purposes. We do not promote or support illegal activity, the sale or use of restricted substances, or the use of associated tools or accessories. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional for health decisions.

Prepare to be moved by Amy Scott Rooker’s extraordinary journey from trauma to healing. Growing up, she had a contentious relationship with her parents, who chose to ignore the intense trauma inflicted on Amy by a sibling. She tried to bury her pain by creating the “perfect” life as a corporate lawyer. Meanwhile, privately, she numbed herself with a few drinks every night and battled an eating disorder. It wasn’t until her mother died that her heart broke open and she knew something had to change. Her journey within involved therapists, books, plant medicine, and more, but it brought her healing, an inspiring spiritual awakening, and a new life grounded in love. It also stirred a latent love of writing, which she turned into her new memoir, My Mother is a Dragonfly.
Her journey from grief to grace will show you that the greatest healing comes when you stop running from yourselves and start loving all parts of your story.
In this episode:
👉Amy's path from corporate lawyer to spiritual seeker after her mother's death👉How unresolved trauma and family secrets can shape a life👉The impact of plant medicine and psychedelic journeys on healing trauma👉Connecting with your younger selves across time for profound healing👉The significance of authenticity and vulnerability in grief and relationships👉How quantum physics aligns with spiritual awakening👉The role of forgiveness in liberation and growth👉The importance of embracing life's complexity and our divine roles👉Practical insights for leaning into dark moments and trusting the process👉Amy’s new book, My Mother is a Dragonfly, and her mission to honor her journey
This is a great episode to share with someone going through a hard time, needing inspirations, wanting to connect with something greater, or just someone you love. ❤️
AMY'S LINKS:website | Instagram | My Mother is a Dragonfly 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

So many of us live with the silent, often hollow-feeling struggle of trying to attain wealth and success while wearing societal masks. Yet, deeper within us there is a yearning for connection, purpose, and peace. What if the key to transforming your life is a simple shift in consciousness? Cesar Marin, a former CNN producer turned plant medicine and microdosing advocate, shares his inspiring journey, one where he has found purpose in plant medicine, microdosing, and surrendering to the deep work of healing and self-awareness.
He reveals how microdosing psilocybin transformed his relationship with addiction, helped him face childhood wounds, deepened connections with his family and friends, and propelled him into becoming a proponent for plant medicine. Discover how intentional plant medicine journeys in his 50s reopened his heart, realigned his mission, and sparked a powerful awakening, showing us all that it's never too late to reinvent ourselves.
You'll learn:
👉How microdosing can serve as a tool for clarity, focus, and emotional resilience, especially after 50👉The subtle art of setting intentions to maximize growth and healing👉Why peace isn't about escaping reality but truly being present in it👉Practical tools for fathers and men to lead with love, mindfulness, and purpose through retreats, community, and daily acts of kindness👉How microdosing sharpens presence and transforms reactions, typical challenges, and emotional responses.👉The profound impact of psychedelics on understanding and healing familial relationships.👉The core lessons Caesar has integrated: Connection, Peace, and Purpose.👉Details about the upcoming Cesar’s upcoming father’s retreat, The Summit Within, in Colombia focused on healing, connection, and purpose.
If you're tired of surface-level solutions and crave a deeper, richer life, this is your blueprint. Perfect for anyone seeking real change, men ready to lead with love, or explorers curious about how plant medicine can unlock your best self. 
CESAR'S LINKS:Instagram | LinkedIn | Microdosing Over 50 | Summit Within Retreat | Cultivating Wisdom (Get 20% off Cultivating Wisdom apparel. Use code: LLH)
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 

For almost a decade, Robert Gallery slogged through a dark night of the soul. He thought he was going crazy. He wasn’t sure he could go on living. A former offensive guard who played 8 seasons in the NFL, he didn’t know TBI (traumatic brain injury) was profoundly influencing his behavior. But he was suffering, living in a heavy cloud that was also negatively affecting his wife, kids and those close to him. He had never tried or considered the intentional use of plant medicine, but that changed when he heard Navy Seal vet Marcus Capone talking about ibogaine on a podcast. Ibogaine would save his life and inspire him to co-found Athletes for Care.
In this episode Robert shares his profound journey from injury, trauma, and mental darkness to healing and purpose. It is a powerful story of transformation, resilience, and hope, as well as a raw, authentic conversation about mental health, plant medicines, and the courage it takes to rebuild a life.
You'll learn:👉The impact of brain injury and the journey to diagnosis👉How plant medicine catalyzed Robert’s recovery from both brain trauma and shame👉The significance of love, self-care, and community in healing👉Insights on the power of plant medicine for mental health and trauma👉The role of vulnerability and openness in breaking generational trauma👉Founder of Athletes for Care: empowering others to seek mental health healing, whether that is with plant medicines or more traditional means👉Why understanding death differently can transform how you live todayThis episode is for educational and harm reduction purposes. Always seek professional guidance before pursuing alternative therapies.
ROBERT’S LINKS:Athletes for Care website  | InstagramRobert’s Instagram - WimHof Method - You can find In Waves and War on Netflix
SCOTT’S LINKS: Substack | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 

In this episode, Jackie Harel, a seasoned matchmaker, dives into the raw, unfiltered truths about modern love, the pitfalls of dating apps, and how understanding yourself is the ultimate key to finding lasting connection and genuine love. Jackie’s insights are a wake-up call for anyone tired of superficial swipes and ghosting, eager to do the deep inner work that transforms relationships from fleeting to forever.
In this episode:👉The reality of age and gender dynamics in dating searches👉The role of rites of passage and inner work in building meaningful relationships👉How conflict resolution skills and emotional intelligence are game-changers in love👉Why traditional dating norms still hold wisdom and how to harness them👉The importance of intentionality with plant medicines, dance, and community👉Practical tips for effective dating, creating deep intimacy, and avoiding superficial "ick" factors👉The truth about having a “type”👉The influence of attachment styles and deconstructing fantasy types👉How working on yourself enhances your relationship game👉The vital role accountability and community play in successful pairing
Listen now and start rewriting your love story — because the deepest connections come from understanding yourself first.
 
JACKIE'S LINKS:Website | Instagram 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Most of us are blind to the startling truth: 96% of land animal biomass is us and what we eat, while wild creatures make up just 4%. Yet, the fight to restore the wild is a battle for our own future, and it needs to happen now.
John Stewart, driven by simple acts, fierce love and unwavering hope, is someone who heard the call and is leading that battle. Fueled by a moment of anger, he left behind a life in advertising to dedicate himself to saving wildlife, co-founding Wild Tomorrow Fund (WTF). What began with buying a set of tires for wildlife rangers has turned into creating wildlife corridors spanning thousands of acres, rescuing threatened species, reviving habitats and providing sustainable income and education for local communities. 
In this episode, John shares the raw, emotional journey from heartbreak over habitat loss to triumph in land restoration. You'll discover how a small team bought land, knocked down fences, and created corridors for animals to roam free. This is a feel-good conservation story, but it is also a wake-up call. The future depends on what we do today. John reveals how you can start with small, meaningful steps to combat habitat loss caused by our insatiable use of resources.
This episode is perfect for nature lovers, activists, and anyone feeling the weight of ecological grief but yearning for hope and action.
In this episode:
👉How a childhood memory sparked a lifelong love for animals 🐱
👉The pivotal moment that inspired a career change from ads to conservation 💡
👉Building Wild Tomorrow Fund from a dream into protecting over 5,000 acres 🌍
👉The power of community, partnerships, and innovative land restoration 🤝
👉Tackling habitat loss by altering our eating habits 🍽️
👉The hallucination we live in—believing humans are separate from nature 🌱
👉Practical steps anyone can take to heal the earth and reconnect with nature 🌿
 
JOHN'S LINKS:Website | Instagram | Facebook 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 

Get ready to dive deep into a journey of love, deep grief, cancer, creativity and a life-altering experience involving cookies with music icon, Melissa Etheridge. If you’ve ever wondered how grief transforms into hope and a deeper love or how her music is created that touches the soul, this episode reveals it all.
You’ll discover how Melissa’s accidental hero’s dose of cannabis sparked a spiritual awakening, revealing, in part, that peace isn’t the absence of chaos but embracing life’s contrast. She shares raw stories behind her latest album RISE, a powerful reflection of loss hope, and love, including her son Beckett’s tragic death from fentanyl. Her candid insights on love, healing, and the current research into using plant medicine to overcome addiction will challenge what you thought you knew about consciousness and the mind. She also dives deep into her groundbreaking work with The Etheridge Foundation, which funds various psychedelic research, from ibogaine to psilocybin, with the goal of defeating opioid addiction.
In this episode:👉Melissa’s new album "Rise" and her inspiration behind it👉The spiritual insights gained from an accidental heroic dose of plant medicine, and how it changed her life👉The story behind The Etheridge Foundation and its support of plant medicine research to overcome opioid addiction👉What she has learned about love from her long-term relationships, and her current marriage👉Lessons from profound loss of her son Beckett and her reflections on death and eternity👉Her candid and powerful advice on living authentically despite rejection👉How the power of love and self-acceptance can shift relationships and societal barriers👉The science and hope around psychedelics like Ibogaine in combating opioid addiction
MELISSA'S LINKS:Website | New Album, RISE | The Etheridge Foundation 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Many people don’t realize how much pain, joy, and transformation is locked inside their bodies. Imagine gently connecting with a deep, inner wound, healing it, and finding more peace without ever leaving your home or using plant medicine! This episode reveals the power of somatic-based therapy in crafting a life of resilience, wholeness, and love. Sit in as Marisa Radha Weppner takes the host, Scott Schumaker, somewhere completely unexpected, but wholly worth the journey.
Marisa is a seasoned somatic and psychedelic therapist, guiding her clients through the unseen layers of trauma and self-discovery. In this episode, she also shares her own quest for a deeper understanding of consciousness and self, which started with an LSD trip at 15, and how that lead to her groundbreaking work with ketamine therapy and body-centric healing methods. As Radha states (and Scott experiences), this work will help you heal and integrate forgotten parts of yourself you, parts you forgot were hurt. You’ll will:👉Discover how body sensations reveal what your mind might deny.👉Witness Radha expertly take Scott on a non-psychedelic journey to a deep and unexpected place within himself (even through a Zoom screen) and confront what he finds in a gentle, healing way.👉Learn some of the surprising ways trauma is stored in muscle memory and how to gently release it👉Discover how Radha’s approach weaves together somatic experiencing, inner child healing, internal family systems, and shadow work.👉Learn about Radha’s journey from childhood trauma to spiritual healer👉Discover the importance of vulnerability in therapy and life👉Witness how visualizations can move someone through collective and personal grief👉Learn about Radha’s upcoming retreat in Mexico
MARISA'S LINKS:Patreon | Website | Instagram | Podcast 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”