Love, Loss & Hallucinations with Scott Schumaker

Navigating Life Transitions w/ Hawaii Ironman Champion Turned Professor Scott Tinley (Ep34)

In this episode, Scott Tinley, a friend and competitor from my former life as a professional triathlete, joins me for an in-depth discussion on handling big life transitions. A Hawaii Ironman world champion with over 100 triathlon wins under his belt, Tinley’s own challenges after he stopped racing led him into the academic world, where he’s become an expert on navigating the elite-athlete-to-normal-life shift, lessons from which we can all benefit. We discuss the emotional challenges of transitioning from sports, the importance of mental health, and the lessons learned through personal experiences, including his recent heart surgery. He emphasizes the significance of appreciation, mourning, and planning for life after sports, while also encouraging his students to adventure and find their own identities after athletics or school. We also share some classic, funny stories from back in our racing days and beyond. 
We get into:👉Tinley reflecting on his early experiences in triathlon and the growth of the sport.👉The transition from professional athlete can be challenging and requires self-reflection.👉Mental health awareness in sports has improved since the late 90s, but challenges remain.👉Mourning the end of an athletic career is essential for a healthy transition.👉Planning for life after sports is crucial, yet it is contradictory to athletes’ necessary focus.👉Gratitude for past experiences can enhance one's perspective on life.👉Realizations about retirement can come from unexpected moments, such as nature.👉Rehab is a process everyone goes through, not just those with substance issues.👉Loss can lead to wisdom and personal growth in various aspects of life.👉Validation through athletic success can shape one's identity and purpose.
SCOTT TINLEY'S LINKS:Website | Facebook | Rehab: Collected Stories and Essays on Resolution, Resiliency, and Return - 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 

Surprise! Talking Funerals & Death w/ Lauren Carroll Brought Me Joy (Ep33)

Dive deep into the raw, heart-centered world of being a death doula, and the wisdom that comes from this profession. Lauren Carroll, a death educator whose passion for home funerals is infectious, shares the touching journey she took to becoming a death doula. We also discuss how the commercialized funeral industry has squashed sacred practices around our deceased loved ones. Also, the how and why she began incorporating plant medicine into her end-of-life care is insightful. And she highlights important, revelatory information about caring for a body after a person has passed, plus so much more. Death is inevitable, but beauty, love and transformation can be experienced around the end of life if we allow ourselves to be open to it. This episode will help you navigate it all with more reverence, knowledge and grace. 
In this episode:👉 Lauren’s powerful story of encountering a stillborn baby and how it shifted her fear of death.👉 The history and importance of home funerals and how the modern industrial funeral business has separated us from this sacred act👉 The role of death doulas and how they restore human connection at life's final chapter👉 The healing potential of plant medicine, especially psilocybin, in facing death and grief👉 How meaningful rituals and a longer presence with the deceased transform grief into love, acceptance, and healing for those still alive. 👉 The legal, cultural, and emotional aspects of choosing natural death care practices👉 Practical tips for hybrid funeral arrangements and the importance of personal stories in legacy
LAUREN'S LINKS:LA MORT | Instagram
Mice / plant medicine study 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

From Fear to Healing: One Shaman's Long Plant Medicine Journey w/ Maestro Hamilton Souther (Ep32)

Prepare to dive deep into healing and personal growth as Maestro Hamilton Souther and I discuss the soul of ayahuasca and san pedro (wachuma), shamanic wisdom, and the transformative power of nature and plant medicines. Souther, a pioneer in the psychedelic renaissance and founder of Blue Morpho, shares truths that could change how you see life, loss, ego and healing. He also reveals behind-the-scenes stories of his own initiation into these sacred traditions, and powerful lessons he has gleaned from thousands of visionary journeys. In this episode:
👉The origins and purpose of ayahuasca, and why it’s a game-changer for healing👉Insights on loss, impermanence, and the eternal nature of our spirit👉The difference between shamans, maestros, and spiritual guides 👉How visionary experiences redefine reality and serve as powerful healing tools👉The intense training and ego dissolving journey to become a trusted ceremonial leader👉Insights on loss, impermanence, and the eternal nature of our spirit👉The profound connection between humans and nature — you are not out of place👉How San Pedro and other plants assist in grounding, healing, and expanding consciousness👉Practical tips for choosing a safe, reputable ceremony center overseas or at home👉The future plans for Blue Morpho and plant medicine in the West👉A fascinating insight into AI, technological evolution, and what visions reveal about our collective future👉The importance of love, gratitude, and embracing life’s miraculous miracle
HAMILTON’S LINKS:Blue Morpho website 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Ep 31 – Rachel Zurer: How Iboga Healed My Deepest Griefs and Revealed Life-Changing Wisdom

In this episode, join me as Rachel Zurer, a somatic and leadership coach, shares her deep healing experiences with the plant medicine Iboga. If you are curious about what it’s like working with iboga, which can cause psychedelic journeys lasting up to 30 hours, then this episode is a must listen. Spoiler: It’s not about quick fixes (obviously), but profound, lasting transformations that can reshape your entire view of life, grief, love, and humanity. Consuming iboga is “not sexy,” as Rachel says, but what’s a little bit of dry mouth and a day of possible discomfort in exchange for long-lasting, positive changes in your life? Tune in to see if you’re ready to surf your own waves of transformation.
You'll discover:👉The deep, slow journey of working with full root bark iboga and what it really feels like to surf waves of emotion for a day and a half👉How iboga helps you see your mental cages and unlock your true power👉The unexpected, life-shifting lessons on grief, ancestral trauma, and trusting the unknown that Rachel learned from her profound experiences👉Why this plant medicine is more than a psychedelic trip — it’s a portal to deeper love, presence, and spiritual trust
RACHEL'S LINKS:Website | Instagram | Linkedin
The Way meditation app
Books: Prayers of Honor and Grief by Pixie Lighthouse, The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Frances Weller, The Smell of Rain on Dust by Martine Prechtel
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 

Ep30 - Shann Ray: The Surprising Link Between Love, Forgiveness, Wholeness & Preventing Genocide

In this thought-provoking episode, Shann Ray, a clinical psychologist, genocide researcher and prolific author, shares his profound insights from decades of research and personal experience on authentic love, forgiveness, and the union of masculine and feminine energies. We delve into how ancient wisdom, current scientific findings, and simple but valuable daily practices can transform our relationships and inner worlds. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss the power of forgiveness, how it can improve your love life and relationships, your health, and, ultimately, even prevent and help heal from genocide. If nothing else, this stimulating and deep episode will have you kissing your partner longer on a daily basis!  
We discuss:👉 The golden age of research on love and its elusive nature👉 The sacred balance of masculine and feminine energies in relationships👉 Practical daily habits to foster genuine connection and forgiveness👉 The impact of trauma, generational patterns, and societal cycles on love👉 The transformative power of asking for forgiveness and making amends👉 The role of light, love, and humility in spiritual and relational growth👉How genocides can ultimately be traced to the breakdown of one-to-one relationships👉Fascism’s link to the fracture of the masculine and feminine within a society👉 Insights from scientific studies like the Gottman Institute on relationship dynamics👉 How cultural narratives and personal shadow work influence our capacity to love👉 The importance of mentoring, community, and ongoing practice for authentic love👉 Personal reflections on overcoming fear, loss, and embracing wholeness
SHANN's LINKS:Website | Instagram
Unsolicited Press The Gottman Institute 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Ep29 - Jaime Fleres: The Profound Rituals that Allowed Jaime to Say Goodbye to Her Old Identity

In this episode, Jaime Flairs, an author, transformational guide, and the founder of Whale Song Creative, joins me to share her profound journey through divorce, spiritual awakening, and reclaiming her authentic self. Together, we explore the power of ritual, community, nature as a healing and stabilizing force, the importance of discovering and staying aligned with your soul’s purpose, and how inner work can transform pain into purpose. Jaime’s vulnerability as she talks about multiple losses in her life invites listeners to reflect on their own thresholds and the transformative power inherent in life’s challenges. We end by discussing how she brings all of this wisdom to the writers that she coaches and how tell your story is both both and revolutionary!
JAIME’S LINKS:
Website | Instagram
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Ep28 - Brandon Deroche: Using Music & Psychedelics to Create Positive Social Change

In this episode, music and psychedelic entrepreneur Brandon Deroche, founder and CEO of Propeller and Portal, shares how transformative plant medicine journeys have influenced him and his career path. Wanting to have a meaningful career from a young age, and influenced by his grandfather’s death, insights from psychedelics and Ram Dass, Brandon and I discuss how he’s has pursued positive social change with his businesses. This is a path that has also created opportunities for him to work with the likes of Chappelle Roan, Justin Isbell, Lorde, ODESZA, Boygenius, and many more. We also get into how and why he, along with Justin Boreta, formerly of The Glitch Mob, created Portal, a non-profit and community dedicated to destigmatizing the responsible use of psychedelics, educating about their benefits, and advocating for accessibility. If you’re wanting to start a business in the psychedelic, non-profit or music space, you’ll want to tune into this one!
BRANDON'S LINKS:Propeller | Propeller IG  Portal | Portal IGPersonal IG 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 
 
 

Ep27 - Jade Sherer: Transformational Journeys from Vision Quests to Cancer

Personal growth and transformation come in many forms, almost all of them challenging. Having a guide to help you navigate these journeys can be extremely helpful. In this episode, nature-based transformational guide Jade Sherer shares 20+ years of wisdom gleaned from assisting people through such trials and towards more authentic, soul-fulfilling lives. This includes 10-day nature retreats, one-on-one conversations over Zoom, and helping clients interpret powerful dreams. Together, Jade and I explore the profound impact of nature-based transformational processes—vision quests, for example—on personal growth and discovering one's true self. We delve into the challenges and rewards of such journeys, including Jade's personal battle with ovarian cancer, and how it all has shaped her understanding of life and death, purpose and connection, and grief and joy. This episode is full of wisdom. Tune in.
JADE'S LINK:
itsournature.net
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Ep26 - Stephen Kellogg: Sharing Wisdom Earned on Love, Loss, Success, Anxiety & Intergrity

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Stephen Kellogg joins Scott in this episode of the Love, Loss & Hallucinations podcast to discuss the wisdom he has gained around grief, success, anxiety and integrity during his 25-year journey as an artist. Stephen talks about the challenges and triumphs that have shaped his life and career, and we both share our evolving understanding of love. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about creativity, relationships, and finding peace in the midst of life's complexities. Finally, don't miss Stephen's new stand-up comedy show on Amazon Prime, Maybe This Will Work.
(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.)
STEPHEN'S LINKS:Website | Spotify | Apple | Instagram | Maybe This Will Work comedy special 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Monday Meditation newsletter | Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)” 

Ep25 - Tiffanie DeBartolo: The Day After a Life-Changing Plant Medicine Journey

In this special 25th episode of "Love, Loss and Hallucinations," Scott welcomes back his first guest and his wife, Tiffanie DeBartolo, to share her profound journey with plant medicine the day before. Together, they explore the depths of human existence, the mysteries of identity, the spiritual revelations that come from embracing discomfort, source or god, and her revelation of what awaits us after death. Tiffanie's candid reflections on her intense mushroom experience reveals a unique perspective on life, love, and the interconnectedness of all things. Join us for an enlightening conversation that challenges perceptions and celebrates the transformative power of plant medicine.
(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.)
TIFFANIE'S LINKS: Instagram | website | Bright Antenna Records | Bookshop | Amazon | Dream for an Insomniac 
SCOTT’S LINKS: Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 
MUSIC – Wilderado, “Surefire (piano)”