Ayahuasca Podcast with Sam Believ

Healing brain tumor without surgery. Ayahuasca Podcast with Pauli Kulikowska

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Pauli Kulikowska, a holistic therapist and founder of the Healing Institute. Pauli brings over 15 years of experience in therapeutic work, integrating clinical psychology, yoga, and energy modalities. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology, is a certified yoga teacher, and specializes in merging Eastern, Western, and Indigenous healing approaches.
Topics Discussed:
Pauli’s journey from depression to healing with ayahuasca and yoga (01:01–05:18)
Healing her brain tumor through plant medicine and lifestyle changes (05:19–08:25)
The integration process: yoga, meditation, and nervous system regulation (07:25–09:44)
Addressing cultural appropriation in plant medicine facilitation (10:15–11:40)
The role of ethics and preparation in healing practices (19:08–20:47)
Integrating Eastern, Western, and Indigenous knowledge in the Healing Institute (21:27–22:24)
Practical integration methods, including pranayama breathwork (33:27–35:52)
Traditional Tantra and its connections to shamanic practices (55:29–56:27)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Guest Information: Find more about Pauli and her work at www.healinginstitute.eu.
 

Psychedelics and neuroscience of consciousness with James Cooke

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with neuroscientist and author James Cooke.
James shares his journey from a profound spiritual awakening as a teenager to studying neuroscience and exploring psychedelics as tools for consciousness and healing.
We touch upon topics such as:
00:17 - James’ spiritual awakening and scientific path
01:45 - How psychedelics sparked emotional healing and trauma work
03:40 - The unique perspective of a neuroscientist on Ayahuasca and DMT
05:46 - Entity encounters and their possible scientific explanations
11:58 - Sam’s experiment idea: enhanced reality and psychedelics
19:26 - Where thoughts originate: brain, consciousness, or antenna?
26:49 - How science and spirituality intersect
30:26 - James’ personal emotional healing with psychedelics
37:12 - Neuroplasticity and the long-term transformative effects of psychedelics
40:12 - Meditation vs psychedelics: mechanisms and outcomes
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about James Cooke and his book The Dawn of Mind at www.jamescooke.info

100 Ayahuasca ceremonies in 1 year. Zen, shamanism and facilitation with Mark Bodner

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ has a conversation with Mark Bodner.
 
Mark was a head of facilitation at LaWayra and has accumulated a wealth of knowledge while working here. Mark is Brown University graduate and a Zen Practicionaire. 
 
We touch upon subjects of facilitating Ayahuasca retreats, zen Buddhism and Ayahuasca, how it feels being punched in the ceremony, doing hundred ceremonies in one year, bringing your parents to the Ayahuasca retreat and more.
 
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to 
www.lawayra.com
 

Psychedelic supplementation and biohacking. Ayahuasca podcast with Shawn Wells

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Shawn Wells, a biochemist, best-selling author, and renowned "Ingredientologist" known for formulating over a thousand supplements and patenting 40 unique ingredients.
Shawn shares his journey of overcoming mental and physical challenges and delves into topics including:
[00:28] Transformational journey into nutrition and biochemistry
[05:14] First psychedelic experiences with psilocybin
[12:28] Ayahuasca ceremonies with the Huni Kuin tribe in Peru
[21:22] The role of fasting and supplements in preparation for ayahuasca
[33:39] Neuroplasticity and post-journey integration
[44:21] Longevity lessons from Blue Zones
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, visit www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Shawn Wells at www.shawnwells.com or on social media @shawnwells.
 

Retiring in Colombia. Living at an Ayahuasca retreat. Ayahuasca Podcast

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mike and Kelly, a couple who visited LaWayra Ayahuasca retreat earlier this year and fell in love with it so much that they decided to retire in Colombia.
We touch upon topics such as:
How Mike and Kelly discovered Ayahuasca and what brought them to LaWayra
Their life-changing experiences with Ayahuasca at the retreat
The decision to retire in Colombia and the challenges they faced
What makes life in Colombia so fulfilling for them
Why LaWayra feels like home and their ongoing connection to the retreat
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
About the Guests:Mike and Kelly are a retired couple from the United States who discovered a new purpose and sense of community through Ayahuasca. Now living in Colombia, they spend their time embracing the culture and supporting the transformative work done at LaWayra.
 

Re-indigenization of self healing from burnout and childhood trauma. Ayahuasca podcast with Marc John Brown

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Mark John Brown, an integral performance and purpose coach with over 15 years of experience blending indigenous wisdom with modern business practices.
We touch upon:
Mark’s journey into plant medicine and indigenous culture (01:02)
Indigenous re-indigenization and its impact on self-development (04:20)
The role of ayahuasca in re-indigenizing the self (06:11)
Healing childhood trauma through psychedelics (09:29)
Indigenous concepts of reciprocity and sacred reciprocity (21:47)
Balancing spirituality with business in modern society (33:26)
Coaching strategies rooted in ancestral wisdom (40:17)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Mark John Brown at his website nativewisdomhub.com or on Instagram @marcjohnbrown.
Special offer from Marc
https://www.nativewisdomhub.com/trauma-to-triumph

Psychedelics and leadership. Ayahuasca podcast with Natasja Pelgrom

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Natasja Pelgrom, a thought leader in personal growth and psychedelic transformation, founder of Awaken the Medicine Within, and host of the Awaken Podcast.
We touch upon topics including:
Natasja's journey with psychedelics (1:51-10:29)
Entrepreneurship in the psychedelic space (10:58-15:50)
Leadership and psychedelics (17:18-24:13)
Authenticity as a core value (24:48-29:17)
Space-holding techniques (30:13-36:50)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Natasja at natasjapelgrom.com or through Awaken the Medicine Within.
 

Writing a book about Ayahuasca. Ayahuasca Podcast with Nick Courtright

Book questionnaire 
https://ayahuascaincolombia.com/book-form/
 
In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Nick Courtright. Sam interviews Nick about how his Ayahuasca experience changed his life and Nick interviews Sam about a book Sam is going to write.
Nick Courtright is an American poet, educator, and essayist whose work fuses philosophical inquiry with lyrical expression. He is the founder and CEO of Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publisher dedicated to authors' rights. As an author, Nick has written several acclaimed books, including Let it Be Light and The Forgotten World.
Topics discussed:
Introduction to Nick’s journey with Ayahuasca and initial motivations (01:26)
Personal transformation through Ayahuasca at LaWayra (03:54)
The unexpected side effects: quitting alcohol and running a marathon (04:48)
Atmosphere Press: ethics and the publishing process (07:04)
Integrating Ayahuasca experiences into daily life (18:14)
The inspiration behind Sam’s upcoming book (22:38)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Nick Courtright at www.atmospherepress.com.
 

Psychedelics and religion. How to start a plant medicine church. Ayahuasca podcast with Bob Otis

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bob Otis, the founding pastor of Sacred Garden Community Church and a leading advocate for the decriminalization of sacred plant medicines. Bob is deeply involved in psychedelic spirituality and serves on councils dedicated to the protection of sacred plants.
We touch upon topics such as:
Bob’s journey with psychedelics and founding Sacred Garden (01:16)
Mystical experiences and spiritual connection through plant medicines (04:14)
The relationship between psychedelics and Western religion (06:32)
Bob’s perspective on starting a church for plant medicine (15:19)
Ethical considerations and challenges of leading a psychedelic church (47:20)
The Decriminalize Nature movement (59:34)
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com
 
Find more about Bob Otis at sacredgarden.life.

Psychedelic advocacy, psychedelics in UK. Ayahuasca Podcast with Joe Vaughan

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Joe Vaughan, a UK-based comedian, writer, and advocate for psychedelic medicine legalization. Joe shares his journey into psychedelics, driven by witnessing the transformative power of psilocybin on a close friend. Together, they discuss the potential of psychedelics for mental health, addiction recovery, and the challenges of pushing for legalization in the UK.
If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats, go to www.lawayra.com.
Find more about Joe Vaughan at Twitter: @joevaughancomedy.