Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Waifung Tsang. Waifung is a clinical psychologist, researcher and co-founder of Onaya Sciences, bridging Western psychology with indigenous Amazonian plant medicine, Chinese medicine and sound-based therapies. He also advises Heroic Hearts UK and is a TEDx speaker exploring the intersection of trauma, psychedelics and traditional wisdom.
We touch upon topics of:
(00:55–04:38) Waifung’s journey from music and disillusionment in clinical psychology to ayahuasca research in Peru and co-founding Onaya Sciences
(06:34–11:38) Why ayahuasca is almost invisible in China: censorship, historical suppression of spirituality and underground ceremonies
(11:38–13:58) Dragons, the Monkey King and how Chinese mythology, Taoism and Buddhism resonate with psychedelic experiences
(13:58–19:22) Tai Chi, qigong and Chinese medicine as tools for working with plant diets, chi and ceremony
(19:22–24:19) Parallels between Chinese medicine and Latin American folk wisdom: hot/cold foods, grandmothers’ knowledge and collectivist spirituality
(24:19–29:20) Emerging ayahuasca circles in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan — encrypted forums, harsh penalties and why many seekers are business people
(29:23–34:57) From NHS burnout to the jungle: what Waifung learned from indigenous doctors who treat “whoever comes” with plants, ritual and Icaros
(35:13–39:19) Onaya’s research with Heroic Hearts: veterans, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and early multi-modal findings
(39:19–43:18) Multi-site collaborations with retreat centers, indigenous advisory boards and studying Icaros, dreams and plant spirits
(45:04–47:28) Epigenetics 101: how ayahuasca may influence gene expression and “straighten ancestral lines” — and why much larger samples are needed
(52:50–59:29) Medicine music, energy in ceremony, “bad DJs” vs surgical Icaros, and a new EEG study recording shamans’ songs and brain activity
(01:01:18–01:04:18) How ayahuasca heals on bio-psycho-social-spiritual levels and why community and integration matter as much as the visions
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Dr. Waifung Tsang and Onaya Sciences at www.onaya.io, www.onaya.science and on Instagram @onaya.io

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Ido Cohen, a clinical psychologist specializing in Jungian and relational depth psychology. He is the founder of The Integration Circle, focusing on psychedelic integration, shadow work, and turning peak experiences into lasting transformation.
• 00:56 Early experiences in India and discovery of integration• 03:08 Why integration is hard & cultural context• 09:00 The illusion of quick transformation• 12:18 Balancing work, business, and integration• 14:40 Integration for busy modern lives• 19:35 Why self-care feels like work• 22:12 Ceremony continues after the ceremony• 25:07 Archetypal & transpersonal dimensions• 29:42 Common archetypes and possessions• 34:52 Soul, religion & invisible forces• 48:02 What is the shadow and shadow work• 52:20 Shadow encounter vs. shadow work• 56:32 Turning darkness into growth
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Dr. Ido Cohen at theintegrationcircle.com or on Instagram at @theintegrationcircle

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Joe Moore, co-founder/CEO of Psychedelics Today. Joe is a longtime voice in psychedelic education and media (700+ interviews), a holotropic breathwork facilitator, and the creator of the Vital year-long training program focused on psychedelic-informed practice and harm reduction.
• Origin story: books, Grof, breathwork, first aya, launching Psychedelics Today (01:13–04:17)• 700+ interviews, role split with Kyle (04:17–04:55)• Burnout/community dynamics during Denver decrim (04:59–06:00)• Harm reduction, safe supply, and intra-community conflict (05:46–07:27)• Indigenous exchange, access, climate & conservation takes (09:11–11:18)• Agroforestry & ayahuasca reforestation co-ops (11:18–11:59)• Drug war history, othering, and safe supply vs. prohibition (11:59–16:46)• Rebranding Colombia: coca vs. ayahuasca, fentanyl era (17:43–19:35)• Why psychedelic education matters; Vital’s inclusive scope (20:52–25:40)• What success looks like: humility, community, model-agnosticism (27:52–29:33)• Favorites: Team LSD, mushrooms, 2C-B; psychedelic minimalism (29:33–31:22)• How psychedelics heal: competing models + Grof’s container (33:17–36:39)• Breathwork for prep/integration; box breathing & long cycles (36:39–45:33)• Podcasting as decentralization; universities & free libraries (46:09–50:28)• Bitcoin/crypto & decentralizing money/power (50:28–52:06)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Joe Moore at psychedelicstoday.com and on Instagram: @jomo137.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Danielle Herrera, a California-based licensed psychotherapist and psychedelic-assisted therapy specialist. Danielle blends somatic and Jungian work with harm reduction, draws on Indigenous lineage and Sufi mysticism, and trains new facilitators with Beckley Academy. We explore how love, right-relationship, and spiritual technologies help people heal trauma and integrate psychedelic experiences into daily life.
00:01–01:22 — Intro and Danielle’s background
01:22–08:14 — Origin story: chaotic childhood, harm reduction path, ketamine/MDMA training, founding Tender Heart Healing Arts
08:41–12:48 — “Loving people for a living”: centering love in psychotherapy; Indigenous and Sufi lineages
13:14–17:11 — Trauma as absence of holding; parenting parallels; harm-reduction lens
17:12–22:03 — Why some grow from pain: “jet fuel,” ayahuasca discomfort, meaning-making
22:32–25:10 — Transmutation of pain; rites of passage and village containers
26:01–29:46 — Shamanism vs “psychosis”: the role of container (Crazywise reference)
29:46–36:30 — Sufism 101: Rumi, polishing the heart, spiritual technologies; resonance with ayahuasca/Icaros
37:32–42:43 — Mystical experiences in therapy; clinician competence and frameworks
42:43–47:02 — Spiritual emergence: signs, tenderness, intuition, “magic is real”
47:02–51:40 — Addiction: “don’t ask why the addiction—ask why the pain”; right-relationship with medicines
51:40–54:19 — Real integration: becoming better to those you’re responsible to love
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Danielle Herrera at tenderheart.us (yourtherapistlovesyou.com) and Instagram: @yourtherapistlovesyou

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Simon Tennant—a New Zealand psychotherapist, integration coach, and longtime friend of LaWayra. Simon supports guests through complex processes (including repressed trauma), drawing on meditation, IFS lenses, somatic work, and a growing interest in philosophy and Christian mysticism alongside Buddhism. He’s served on LaWayra’s facilitation team and consults post-retreat, emphasizing patience, embodiment, and community as pillars of lasting change.
• 00:00–00:03 — Reunion, Simon’s role with LaWayra and integration work• 00:03–00:06 — Recent ceremonies: body-based learning, “great mystery,” non-ordinary states• 00:06–00:09 — How ayahuasca deepened meditation; greater capacity with difficult client work• 00:09–00:12 — Shamanic flavor across traditions; curiosity over fixed identities• 00:12–00:17 — From Buddhist lens to Christian mysticism; using “God” without recoil• 00:17–00:20 — Multiple lenses metaphor; flexibility vs. rigidity in belief systems• 00:20–00:23 — Losing self/other to return more whole; holding paradox and conflict• 00:22–00:24 — Containers, boundaries, and why safe ceremony space matters• 00:24–00:29 — What volunteering at LaWayra teaches therapists vs. online courses• 00:29–00:32 — Building a practical facilitator training: “cookbook” + kitchen analogy• 00:32–00:35 — Post-retreat integration: practices, community, and resisting distractions• 00:36–00:39 — Working with childhood/sexual-abuse material: patience and not-knowing• 00:39–00:43 — Somatic integration: TRE, SE, body as a safe place• 00:40–00:41 — Ayahuasca as a shadow medicine; opening and purgation• 00:44–00:48 — Shadow, DMN, neuroplasticity, and the ego/DMN connection• 00:48–00:50 — Three-hour maloca meditation: embodied attention and capacity
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Simon Tennant at csimon.nz (C-Simon, spelled c-s-i-m-o-n.nz).

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Simon Ruffell — psychiatrist, researcher, and co-founder of Onaya Sciences. Simon is known for bridging Western psychiatry and traditional Amazonian plant medicine, completing a PhD on the therapeutic effects of ayahuasca and training in Shipibo curanderismo in Peru.
We touch upon topics of:
(00:47) Simon’s journey from psychiatry to the Amazon
(08:33) How ayahuasca heals: neuroplasticity, epigenetics & spirit work
(13:18) Indigenous perspectives on balance and illness
(16:11) Designing research with shamans & translating indigenous knowledge
(22:11) Safety concerns in Western psychedelic use without shamans
(31:05) 80% PTSD remission and other research findings
(35:23) Synchronicities and destiny on the healing path
(44:18) Ego traps: rushing to become a shaman
(50:36) Rethinking psychedelic education and training models
(58:52) The story and spirit of Agua Florida & evolving traditions
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Dr. Simon Ruffell and Onaya Sciences at www.onaya.science and on Instagram @drsimonruffell.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Norman Ohler, investigative author and storyteller known for his bestselling books Blitzed and Tripped. Norman’s work explores the hidden influence of drugs in history — from methamphetamine use in Nazi Germany to the political suppression of psychedelics — and challenges how we think about drugs and society.
We touch upon topics of:
00:36 – Norman’s personal journey into investigating drugs and hidden histories
01:28 – Nazi Germany’s use of methamphetamine and Hitler’s daily drug injections
07:30 – Could Hitler on ayahuasca have changed history?
09:36 – The untold origins of LSD and Nazi/CIA “truth drug” experiments
18:17 – Norman’s book Tripped, dementia research, and microdosing LSD with his parents
22:01 – Brain mapping studies with ayahuasca and early results from Sam’s retreat
25:08 – Capitalism, government control, and why psychedelics remain illegal
29:01 – Vision for an egalitarian, borderless, AI-supported global society
36:21 – Capitalism vs. spirituality and building new economic models with blockchain/AI
42:01 – How psychedelics foster empathy, healing, and potential planetary change
49:18 – Norman’s political vision and plan to run for German Chancellor
53:39 – Ancient ritual use of psychoactive plants and why prohibition is anti-human
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Norman Ohler at substack
https://stonedsapiens.substack.com/
And check out his books Blitzed and Tripped.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Richard Grossman, PhD. Richard is a healer, author, and visionary blending Eastern medicine, Amazonian shamanism, and sound healing. With over 30 years of experience, he has guided thousands through transformational plant medicine journeys, focusing on forgiveness, integration, and heart-centered living. He is the author of Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life and founder of Heart Feather, a space for healing and awakening.
We touch upon topics of:
Richard’s first connection to plants and childhood calling (01:08)
Early experiences with Ayahuasca and trauma healing (02:59)
Healing as miracle and mystery (06:28)
Visions, trust, and forgiveness in ceremony (09:00)
Ayahuasca “claiming” him in the jungle (12:19)
Importance (and limits) of visions in Ayahuasca (19:40)
Poetry in ceremonies and its healing role (26:16)
The lifelong process of healing and “how good can it get?” (33:53)
Responsible path to serving medicine and training protocols (43:44)
Minimum number of ceremonies before serving (51:24)
Acupuncture in ceremony and bridging healing traditions (54:16)
Five elements in Chinese medicine and plant medicine synergy (58:22)
Richard’s book Trust and Forgive and upcoming novel (65:03)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Dr. Richard Grossman at heartfeather.com or his book Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life available on Amazon.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Clara —German medical doctor and LaWayra’s Head of Facilitation for the past 10 months. Former hospital physician turned plant-medicine facilitator, Clara arrived as a guest, stayed as a volunteer, and now leads ceremony care and integration. She shares data from 689 patients and ~3,400 cups, lessons from bridging Western and ancestral medicine, and her own deep healing journey.
• [00:00] Role at LaWayra, patient stats, path from guest → facilitator• [00:02] First psilocybin, travels, finding “Ayahuasca in Colombia,” joining LaWayra• [00:04] “Das Vira”: German order vs. psychedelic flow; surrender & patience• [00:07] Western vs. Amazonian medicine—where each excels; building a bridge• [00:12] Mind–body link, prevention, and healthcare cost realities• [00:16] Origins of disease: emotions, tools the medicine teaches• [00:17] Clara’s healing: self-love, depression, reconnection• [00:19–00:22] Uncovering childhood sexual abuse; facing big traumas safely• [00:24] Intergenerational trauma and family ripple effects• [00:26] Psyche in ceremony: “feline/tiger” processes; jaguar lore• [00:28] Transformations: addictions, lifestyle changes post-ceremony• [00:29–00:31] Common challenge: “not connecting” vs subtle connection• [00:32–00:33] Spiritual openings; choosing healer path vs. shaman role• [00:34–00:36] What a Head of Facilitation actually does (safety, team, container)• [00:37–00:41] Integration philosophy: community, practice, therapy, percentages• [00:43–00:45] Self-care routines for facilitators (yoga, meditation, breathwork, journaling)• [00:47–00:50] National trauma, peace, and why Germany needs Aya; presidents drink free
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to  www.lawayra.com
 

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Jessica DiRuzza, a depth psychotherapist, astrologer, and educator. Jessica is the co-founder of Trust Psyche, where she integrates depth psychology and archetypal astrology to guide transformation. With 15+ years of experience, she teaches internationally, hosts the Trust Psyche podcast, and mentors students blending soul-centered insight with practical healing.
We touch upon topics of:
Jessica’s journey from psychedelics to astrology (00:55)
Archetypal astrology vs. mainstream astrology (05:25)
Jessica reads Sam’s chart live (06:33)
Fate vs free will in astrology (19:22)
Astrology as a tool for psychedelic integration (24:03)
World transits and the psychedelic renaissance (27:34)
Shadow work and astrology (31:04)
Astrology, trauma, and karma (32:18)
Using astrology as a diagnostic tool (35:14)
Relationships, compatibility, and spiritual bypassing (37:10)
Neurodivergence and astrology (41:39)
Astrology, mysticism, and ancient knowledge (45:07)
Sam’s nodal return and soul’s evolutionary path (47:44)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com
Find more about Jessica at trustpsyche.com, on YouTube at Trust Psyche, and on Instagram at @trust.psyche