Then and Now; Now and Then
A look at how America’s confidence in the 1950s—shaped by postwar triumph and fear of communism—compares to today’s swirling anxieties about technology, politics, climate, and truth itself. Inspired by Gordon Wasson’s 1957 Life article and reflected through the lens of Her Magic Mushroom Memoir, this post explores how our points of view shift across eras and why noticing those shifts matters.
Same Ride. Different Worlds.
Two riders, one roller coaster—two entirely different worlds. What explains how the same moment can thrill one brain and terrify another? Her Magic Mushroom Memoir explores the wonder and limits of neuroscience, from the first burr hole to today’s glowing brain scans.
Gold Award for Best Road Trip Podcast!
Her Magic Mushroom Memoir just won Gold for Best Road Trip Podcast at the 4th Annual Signal Awards! This “novel-to-podcast” adventure—written by John Wasson and Darren Hackett, produced by Serena Travis, and narrated by Melissa Disney—continues to capture hearts and minds around the world.
Am I in the Groove, a Rut, or on a Default Pathway?
Discover how rigid brain circuits—or default pathways—can lock us into ruts, and how psilocybin-assisted therapy may open new routes to healing.
Homo Sapiens? What Were We Thinking? Why Mushroom Stones Matter
When our species was named Homo sapiens—“wise humans”—it may have been a little premature. Ancient humans weren’t just foragers; they were experimenters, healers, and seekers. From Neanderthals selecting plants with medicinal value to the carved mushroom stones of Mesoamerica, the story of humanity has always been one of adaptation. Her Magic Mushroom Memoir invites us to ask: were we ever truly “wise,” or simply endlessly creative in our search for meaning and healing?
The Psychedelic Renaissance: Lessons from the Rise, Fall, and Rebirth of Psilocybin
The history of psilocybin—the compound in “magic mushrooms”—reads like a parable of modern science. First celebrated, then condemned, and now rediscovered, its arc reflects how culture, politics, and fear can shape research as much as data.
From Sacred Ceremony to Scientific Study: The Journey of Magic Mushrooms
Discover how Mazatec mushroom ceremonies inspired science, fueled the 1960s counterculture, and now power today’s psychedelic renaissance—with new studies showing surprising effects.
